Dirty Hands, Beautiful Life -by Tenneil

Women stronger than me...

2012-01-21T07:45:00.000-08:00

"She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse."

Mark 5:26

During my blogger disappearance my sister has battled her disease more intensely than ever before.

Although my sister's fight is less known than breast cancer, this song still hit me all at once...

Soon after hearing this, we had the opportunity to honor Cowboy's (Mr. Love of My Life) aunt in her fight and I thought it might be encouraging to share...

"Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."

Mark 5:34

G-R-a-c-ious

2012-01-21T06:48:00.000-08:00

I have a little sign that was my motto in years past. (I'm still recovering from the post-Christmas transition and can't find it...) Please tell me I'm not the only one who is just now putting away glittery things! Moving on --the sign says God, Grace, Gratitude. I've used this sign for years to remind me of the importance of gratitude. Anytime I'm in a bad mood it usually stems from self-pity. Shall we wallow a while? My furniture is getting old and some of it even broken, there's dog hair all over the floor, the laundry is endless, there's more bills to pay..._________________ (put your wallow here)...and on and on it goes.

We only have to look a short distance from self to see all that we have to be grateful for.

Fresh Food...

Rain and nature's blessings...

Health and laughter...

(I'm sure my sister will be thrilled to see herself exploited here but if there was ever a woman to teach you to be grateful for your health and laughter -- it's HER!)

That doesn't even include the beautiful luxuries of indoor plumbing, Kitchen-Aid mixers and dishwashers (which is what I think would be the most romantic Valentine's present ever right now!) To go here....

(of course then I will have to put in cabinets...so boring!)

And my wishful heart for a dishwasher brings me back to the subject -- I think the next step in my journey is to learn to be gracious.

"But He (God) gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble' "
James 4:6

Humility is the key to gracious living. When I feel grumbly or discontent I need to ask myself why I feel that way...pride is usually the answer and stands in the way of gracious living. Now picture if you will someone who is acting graciously....the picture of beauty and strength is undeniable.

"He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend" Proverbs 22:11

A pure heart...

Back to Blog Life

2011-07-29T11:39:00.000-07:00

I've been waiting for the perfect time to return and tell all my story of disappearance...

I've decided to make it a mystery unfolding for you article by article,

but here's a "sneak peak" of what's been added to my life in the last year and a half...

The strength and beauty of single parenting...

The reward and accomplishment of hard work...

The anguish and overcoming of a challenging but successful surgery...

The safety of love and healing at Nana's house...

The honesty, happiness, and freedom of finding true love...

The pride and empowerment of my teaching degree!!

The excitement and elation of an engagement...

A big, beautiful bounty of grown babies :):)

Hope and eager anticipation as we look to the future...the glimmer in his eyes...we feel in our heart at the awesomeness of God's creation and will unfolding...

I also gained a few pounds and an apartment building...

So stay tuned for a full blown expansion (of the building not me) and remodel of our home all done with dirty hands and beautiful style!

I've missed you and I'm excited to be strong enough to join the blog world again!!

June's Shop Your House!

2010-06-01T18:27:00.000-07:00

Well...I'm showing up to my own party without a camera!! My new laptop is on a 'say no to picutres' strike!!! I want so much to show you a mini "shop your house". That's right...three girls and one boy shopped the house and set up house in the shed. They have quite the space set up and it really made me think of the best meaning of "Shop Your House"...looking around your home for the simple joys and simple love that is bound up in every day especially with little ones under feet!

I know pictures tell the story and not words, so I will not linger...just let you show me how you have been Shopping YOUR House!!!

Thank You So Much for coming…by now you know party etiquette…so I’m going to simply ask that you don’t put your elbows on the table and please link back.

Oh…and no one likes to sit next to the gal who never stops talking about herself , so be a good listener and see what the other guests have to say by visiting their blogs.

Take a party favor if you like and put the Shop Your House logo in your sidebar…
And a polite "thanks for having us" in the comments would absolutely thrill me!!

So here you go...show me YOUR dirty hands!!

And don't forget...the link will be open all week!!!

Explanation

2010-05-11T20:46:00.000-07:00

For those of you who noticed my sudden disappearance...

Here is the explanation for why I've been too busy to blog.

I would apologize...but I just can't!!!

We are doing lots of thrifting, decorating and visiting...but this was the MOST FUN!!!

Recognize my partner in crime???

Be back soon!

Shop Your House Again

2010-05-04T20:31:00.001-07:00

Well…I can breathe!!

Someone showed up to the party! Well…several someones…

In fact, I was most excited to have quite a few comment and say “I get it – and I’ll be back”

I’m a bit passionate about Shop Your House…so I l-o-ve to push people to think creatively to repurpose what they already have!

A couple of my favorite ideas from last week…

Found a new friend at Tattered and Inked

I’ve never tried empty frames, but I have a large D monogram that I will have to try this with!!

And…the blog title stole my heart at Sleeping In an Unmade Bed

I l-o-ve this because I’m hoping to decorate a certain friend’s house in this style next week!!

So…how about you???
Did you Shop Your House??

If not…get going…the link will be open for the week…

When shopping your house…start by looking at an area your unhappy with…
Then…remove what you don’t L-O-ve!!

Then shop room by room browsing for something that you might L-O-ve in your trouble spot…

The ripple affect will be that you freshen another space…

I must forewarn you – it…like thrifting…is addictive!

Thank You So Much for coming…by now you know party etiquette…so I’m going to simply ask that you don’t put your elbows on the table and please link back.

Oh…and no one likes to sit next to the gal who never stops talking about herself , so be a good listener and see what the other guests have to say by visiting their blogs.

Take a party favor if you like and put the Shop Your House logo in your sidebar…

And a polite thanks for having us in the comments would absolutely thrill me!!

So here you go...show me YOUR dirty hands!!

Picnic Dessert

2010-05-02T17:06:00.001-07:00

I’m joining This Blessed Nest on a picnic :)

My favorite part of a picnic is the red and white tablecloth!

My next favorite thing…Dessert!!!

I’m bringing Sugar Cookie Shortcake!!

Now I am a chocolate lover to say the very least!

This is really the ONLY dessert that stands a chance in my chocolate filled dreams…

1 roll refrigerated cookie dough

2 T. of sugar

1 lb fresh strawberries

1 box vanilla instant pudding

1 c. cold milk

3/4 cup whipping cream

In the spirit of cooking in haste…I’ll give you a few options throughout the recipe :)

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Split cookie dough roll in half and spread dough in a 9” round pie or cake pan. Either line your dish with foil or use disposable to make it easy to get the giant cookie out! (I use foil pans and then rinse and reuse each time)

Before putting each cookie in the oven, sprinkle a tablespoon of sugar over each – YUMMY! (If you forget…like me…you can do it when you pull it out of the oven too)

Let these cool…and while they do…mix 1 cup of milk with the instant pudding mix. Whisk it until it’s thick.

Also, use mixer to beat whipping cream until formed. (Frozen whipped cream works also…just not quite as rich)

Mix the pudding mix and the whip cream together. Lick your fingers when you do this :) Now wash them – we’re going to a picnic!!

Slice your strawberries reserving a few for garnish. (Frozen strawberries will work too.)

Layer cookie, mixture and sliced strawberries. Use a little less than half of the mixture.

Again…layer cookie, mixture and sliced strawberries.

Top off with remaining mixture and garnish with strawberries.

Refrigerate for 1 hour or just dive in together like we will!!!

Palms on the porch

2010-05-02T16:48:00.001-07:00

So…when I showed you part 1 of my front porch…

I had yet to complete part 2…

So now…I can tell you the secret to these…

Here it is…

Sorry…lost the first picture…so now the label was a little dirty, but that’s right…they are black plastic storage cubes…I offered $5 instead of $8…so run to your home office or basement and…

SHOP YOUR HOUSE!!

Please stop by on Wednesday…

Linking to…

Southern Hospitality

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Outdoor Living

Met Monday

Beyond the Picket Fence

House of Hepworth

A note for thrifty chics!

2010-05-02T14:41:00.001-07:00

Sometimes as a thrifty, vintage girl you can get a little bogged down with stuff! Even minimalists and well-organized homes need a cleansing every now and then…not a cleaning – a cleansing!
A fun way to do it is to have a garage sale.
To really have FUN with a garage sale…have a thrifter style sale. Thrifters l-o-ve to go to a sale where things are CHEAP!! They like to haggle…they like to smile…they like to relax.
A few tips on a FUN garage sale

- Keep your prices low
- Enjoy the company of a good thrifter when someone asks if you will take less…say YES!!
- Put out clean and good stuff!
- Say ‘Hello’ to every person.
- Sell something you weren’t planning to sell!
- Have a snack and drink for sale
- Plan to go 50 cents for all an hour or two before close…it’s so much FUN to watch people load up your stuff in to their car…instead of you loading it in to yours for the thrift store.
- Have it with a friend…
- Give the leftovers away!!

YOU WILL FEEL SO FREE!!!!

And remember…how excited you get when you see a pile like this…PAY IT FORWARD this summer!!!

Linking to...
Southern Hospitality
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays

Don't forget to stop by on Wednesday for my Shop Your House party!!

And if you haven't yet...check out my sidebar sensation...

Introducing Shop Your House

2010-04-27T18:31:00.000-07:00

Getting ready to host a blog party is just like getting ready to host a live party in your home. You find yourself looking around your place (ie.your blog) and trying to finish all of the little things you’ve been saying your going to get to PLUS the party prep…

- Party favors - in the form of a button :)
- Entertainment --- in the form of a good post
- Welcoming entry --- in the form of header touch ups
- Well organized games --- in the form of McLinky
- And then also figuring…that someone may always need to use the upstairs bathroom --- sponsors, sidebar, archive

Well…I’m far from ready, but just as they say…you didn’t come to see my place…you came to see people – in this case…for me to see all of you!!!

So…with all of this other fretting, plus getting ready to do the opposite of shop…have a garage sale...I have done very little “House Shopping”, but I’ll show you a small shelf that was empty and lost when I brought it home and by shopping the house I found it some friends in 15 minutes – literally!!

The newcomer shelf:

The semi-final resting place:

It’s far from the most beautiful creation ever, but not bad for 15 minutes and if you’ve been seeing my office/guest bedroom turtle-paced makeover then you can see it fits in perfectly!

So…let’s go shopping piece by piece…

Tell me these don’t make your heart go pitter-pat. I bought the set while I was pregnant and I read them allowed to baby each night. He’s getting to be a little man now and these looked a little out of place among the monster trucks and hot wheels. Sold.

These were already in the room. They add an eclectic not planned look to the shelf. The color flow of both items pair well with the other accents. Sold.

These were in the hall under a bench. They looked good there, but the hard metal shelf needed warmth and texture. You really get the homespun feel in to action playing off the books.

As you can see in the first photo…I added the plate. I didn’t shop for it…I stole it!! Right off the dining room table (which is still set from the tablescape) -- We have been eating…on the porch!

I’m not sure why I grabbed the plate…I’m thinking I liked the white, but it will only work if I add a little something to the mix. But, that’s the great part of shopping your house --- the return policy is VERY flexible :)

Next week…I’ll be sharing a few tips for shopping your house…

But for this week think of the definition of “shop” according to Webster’s: to examine or buy an item.

Start examining what you already have with the same eager eye that you have at Pier 1, Target, the flea market, etc…

Thank You So Much for coming…by now you know party etiquette…so I’m going to simply ask that you don’t put your elbows on the table and please link back.

Oh…and no one likes to sit next to the guy who never stops talking about himself , so be a good listener and see what the other guests have to say by visiting their blogs.

Take a party favor if you like and put the Shop Your House logo in your sidebar…

And a polite thanks for having us in the comments would absolutely thrill me!!

I WAS SO WORRIED that I wouldn't get the Linky right that I posted before I got my code linked up so pretty please check back for the code or just use link it as a pic!!

So here you go...show me YOUR dirty hands!!

PS...Scroll down to see "Sidebar Sensation"
Tell Shalom you found me here and she will give you 20% back on your purchase!!

Linking to:
Beyond The Picket Fence
Colorado Lady

Sidebar Sensation!

2010-04-26T11:56:00.001-07:00

As a new blogger, I change my sidebar more often than anything on the blog. I’m still trying to find contentment over there, but two things have been the same nearly since the beginning…

Two buttons: One is my cool friend Amy who inspired me to get started and is my ever patient, always available, sounding board, good idea girl and blogging friend!

But this isn’t about her --- sorry Amy.

It’s about the other button…this one!!

Shalom has been with me from the beginning!

Shalom’s Cottage Home is an incredible online shop that I was thrilled to bring to my brick and mortar. She specializes in very cheerful, unique, cozy-yet-contemporary art for the home.

I can’t wait to use her personalized invitations for my upcoming garden party!!

You’ve also seen her note cards turned into artwork in one of my earliest posts…Sticks & Stones

I think it would be so great to throw a shower…use her personalized invitations, decorate the table with framed note cards, give journals and mini notebooks for favors and prizes…and then give the showered friend the matching artwork for a keepsake!!! Who wants to let me throw them a shower???

Go over and visit Shalom’s Cottage Home…she frequently gets visits from friends who have gotten their hands dirty and loves it every time!!!

I love this quote from Shalom…

“Here’s to designing your own life and not being afraid to take risks - it's totally worth it!”

PS…if you think it makes sense for your blog, shop or biz to have a spot on my sidebar…get in touch with me…

Eclectic Weekend

2010-04-25T18:26:00.001-07:00

The weekend itself was eclectic for my dirty hands…I’m not sure I finished anything! but…I made progress on many things…

We had rain, rain, rain…

I did make it to a good number of sales in my best friend’s small town city wide sale Saturday. I will post most of my finds down in my “rust and moth” corner, but I wanted to show you a few things:

Although the walk was dry at this point…note the red rain boot as proof of the weather…

Worth the rain though. I paid only $5 for this adorable desk!!!

Now little man has a place to work in the office with me…

Also made a stop at the Goodwill
and picked up these vibrant bags…

As my work from home is growing and growing…so is my need for organization. I “Shopped My House” and stole this mirror with hooks from my dressing room upstairs (it was holding towels which can easily hang on the over the door hook) I will label these bags and use it to keep my files, writings and magazines in. Then I can easily take my work to the porch and back again.

The desk and the bags are just a couple more pieces to the puzzle of my Over the Top Vintage office/guest room.

Here’s a few other pieces coming together…

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Please join me on Wednesday for my first Shop Your House party!!

I am linking to:

Southern Hospitality’s Thrifty Treasures
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
Vintage Thingy Thursday at Colorado Lady
100 projects under $100 at Beyond the Picket Fence

More from the flower fixer

2010-04-23T13:11:00.001-07:00

In our culture, we send flowers to hospitals and funerals…we hope for them for special occasions…and we use them to say I’m sorry…flowers can fix a lot!! Ask any husband :)

My favorite way to adore flowers is in a growing container!!

Because I can only have so many containers in my yard before I look like a crazy plant lady…I’m sharing my l-o-ve with you!

But before I fix your flowers…see my work…

Here are a couple of containers I have designed:

For shade…

5 plant recipe

For sun…

10 plant recipe

A “flower fix” includes a custom design, planting instructions, and a shopping guide. Plus…satisfaction guaranteed :)

To get started…email me at flowerfixer@att.net

You can also buy my recipes here…

(An easy start is the five dollar flower fixer…) email me!!

Oh…and if you live local, I’m pretty inexpensive labor and would love to plant it for you!!

Or…If you live in a far away exotic, warm place…if you throw in travel expenses…I’ll throw in labor free! :)

Happy spring everyone!!

Cooking in Haste

2010-04-23T06:56:00.000-07:00

I want to tell you about Abigail. Abigail was a beautiful, smart young lady. She was married to a real scoundrel though…

A king was traveling through the woods near Abigail’s house and the king’s servants approached that scoundrel to tell of their coming. Well…being a scoundrel…he didn’t care! But when Abigail found out she knew that she must protect her household by endearing the king.

So Abigail got busy…she “made haste and took 200 loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five sheep already dressed, five seahs of roasted grain, one hundred clusters of raisins, and 200 cakes of figs, and loaded them”

OK…now that is cooking.

How about us??? Could we even feed an extra 20 people if needed??? She served an entire army!

I think one of the biggest differences in cooking long ago and cooking now (besides that they had to cook to live!) is that we have been taught to follow exact recipes instead of being creative and thinking about the texture and taste and working with what we have.

They had to make what they have taste yummy! If we think like that…we will enjoy cooking more, save money and it will taste better!!!

What I really l-o-ve about this recipe is the ingredients are so easy to substitute….I can change it up with what I have on hand and it comes out delicious every time!!

The original recipe (shown later) calls for 9x13…I half it in this…

Boil 1/2 bag of packaged egg noodles (or as many as you’ll need to cover the bottom of your dish) Remember we’re being flexible :)

Layer noodles in casserole dish and add chicken breast pieces on top. I use frozen pre-cooked breast strips…

Then mix 1 can of “cream of” soup…the recipe calls for cream of mushroom…I’ve used mushroom and celery too…

Mix that with 1/2 cup of cream cheese or sour cream

Layer the creamy mix on top of chicken and noodles.

Top the casserole with cracker crumbs…I’ve also used canned bread crumbs and crushed frosted flakes…
Helpful Hint:

Crush the crackers in the package!! No mess.

Drizzle melted butter on top of crackers for a real crunch!

Again…you can use olive oil, cooking spray, or melted margarine

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Top with poppy seeds or leave them off – you pick.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes…and…dinner is served.

The leftovers are good in red igloo too.

Here’s the original recipe…

My meat and potatoes man isn’t much for casseroles and truthfully neither am I…but we both enjoy this casserole that a church lady made for us when little man was born. (Church ladies always cook yummy food!!!)

What about you?? What’s your favorite flexible recipe?

A place to sit – front porch style

2010-04-20T20:34:00.000-07:00

I was spoiled in our last house. Spoiled.

We had a beautiful, beautiful front porch.

We have a very nice front porch in this home too…although the floor needs replaced!

I have been waiting for the front porch to “come together”
3 years later…it has arrived! (except the floor)

I’ve had these very sturdy, very comfortable, very ugly pieces on the porch. I was so excited to pick them up for $30 at a flea store (not big enough to be a market, too dirty to be antique).

I questioned my vision and tried to sell them in a garage sale, but others must have questioned my vision also – they did not sell.

I finally listened to my neighbor who has been a believer of the vision from the beginning and painted the chairs (in the dark.)

Getting better, but not sold….so I left the chaise red.

Over the winter, I bought fabric to make a cover for the cushions (the cushions are very sturdy…you can’t buy them like that anymore!) Sewing is a good winter project.

I instead stayed up late sewing on a beautiful spring day.

I also painted the chaise, but I will leave the table red for my own whimsical pleasure…(and to drive the neighbor crazy!)

She was right though…it was very easy to sew!!

And it looks really great!!!

To sew these…I just laid the cushion on the fabric folded it over. Cut the fabric and sewed a giant pillow case.

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Moral of the story: If you wait long enough for it to “come together”…magic happens…the magic is lo-v-ing what you already have!!!

Do you l-o-ve my palm planter??
Look for more secrets on this coming soon!!!

Cost of 2 chairs, 1 chaise lounge and side table - $30
Cost of fabric – 2.5 yards $8 (HUGE SALE!!!)

Now I must go and nap on my front porch!

Before I do though…remember to come by
DirtyHands, BeautifulLife next Wednesday for my first
Shop Your House party….

Linking to…

Thrifty Fashions

2010-04-18T12:22:00.000-07:00

This is a different kind of “thrifty” post than I normally do, but I’ve been busy working on this…
…or supervising little man’s work on this anyway :)

You will have to wait to see the rest of the story…
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This morning while getting dressed…I was so excited about my new spring outfit!
Then I was even more excited when I realized how cheap it was!!

I decided maybe it would make a good thrifty tips post,
but as I turned back in the house…I saw this…

THIS is why I L-O-ve that song “From My Front Porch Looking In”

Now understand that if I hadn’t just listened to a sermon that touched on vanity…well…I would have cropped my face and hair right out this pic…it did not look like this in real life…or at least I’m telling myself that!

…maybe I missed the real point of the vanity thing…

…and…what do you know
…these two handsome men are dressed in thrifty finds too…

Here’s a few random tips…

- Rely on thrift items for basics…other than jeans…

Notice when your basics are getting worn…and begin looking for your size in that color of pant, short, skirt…

- Go often…
If you only have a little time…choose to only look at a few sections each time

- Leave empty handed sometimes

Only buy what you love and what will work

-For yourself -make sure it “fits like a glove”
If it is a little too long, short, tight, big…leave it there!

-For your little ones…stock up!
I buy clothes ahead of season and store in boxes by size…some things will not work out, but I will resale them now problem…I rarely HAVE to go shopping for the little guy…I just go the closet

-For your man…just hang it in the closet.
If he’s anything like mine…he won’t even notice the new additions…he’ll just grab his dress clothes and put it on.

Well…I could go on, but my hard working man needs me to push the gas pedal in while he tunes the carb…this is the only time he opens the door for me before I get in…so see ya!

Oh…wait…to redeem me from the Sears Catalog looking photos…here’s our thrifty Easter pic…

Please stop by next Wednesday for my first "Shop Your House" linky party!!

(Oh and..Did you see my new button??)

Linking to...
Thrifty Mondays at Southern Hospitality

and...

Pillow talk – decorative

2010-04-15T13:56:00.000-07:00

I’m so tired this afternoon that all I can really think about is my pillow. This pillow in fact…

Ahh… the way it will feel under my resting head as I swing in the warm breeze outside during the few minutes left of the afternoon.

But before I enjoy a pillow for it’s BEST purpose…I have to admit that I was among the last in the world to give in to the impact that throw pillows can make.

Like everything though…when I do anything…I do it Big.

I had one throw pillow in the house for over 5 years! Now I have so many pillows that I don’t even know what to do with them! I am NOT hoarding pillows…just thoroughly enjoying them.

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I’ve even given in to 2 talking pillows. I thought I would never do it, but…I did…

…now off to shut eye therapy!

Do your pillows talk?

How does your garden grow?

2010-04-13T21:18:00.000-07:00

Do you plant…

The perpetually friendly face of gerbera daisies??

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“He that hath friends, must show himself friendly”
Proverbs 18:28

The petite humility of a pansy?

“Before honor is humility…”
Proverbs 15:33

The over joyous osteos?

“My mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips”
Psalms 63:5

The lovingly patient rinunculos?

“be patient toward all”
I Thessalonians 5:14

The politely pleasant petunia?

“…the words of the pure are pleasant words”
Proverbs 15:26

The meekly protective fern?

“The meek shall see this and be glad”
Psalms 37:11

The timeless geranium?

“I will bless the Lord at all times”
Psalms 34:1

I just wonder friends…what do you plant in your garden?

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Vintage Kitchen Makeover in a Day…and for under $100!

2010-04-11T14:19:00.001-07:00

When I say in a day…I mean everything bought, transported home, set in it’s place and enjoyed…in a day! A magical, fun, terrific, memorable, wonderful day!!

We drove around for 45 minutes waiting for our first selected flea markets to open…an older fellow couldn’t tolerate our loitering any longer and waved us in a few minutes early (woot! woot!).

We had so much fun…just look…she’s even beautiful in her bloomers!!

That’s actually an apron!

You should know that for a while now my BFF has been wanting to give a facelift to her kitchen. Her kitchen had a cute, but not cheery/contemporary/vintage/eclectic look she longed for…

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At our first flea market…this was the load in her cart…
It only takes a quick look to see…her kitchen was born!

All of this was just around $60…she added to it a $10 plant stand and a few other odds & ends for around $25…

That’s a total of $95…

Cool…we can eat the value menu at Wendy’s and still be under $100!!! (Hey…we’re splurging and now in a hurry!!)

Once we had this loot we made a quick decision to rearrange the day and make the quick trip back to her house to put it all together.

First though, we stop at my house to ‘maximize the assets’ otherwise known as ‘shopping the house’…and…she sees these chairs stacked in my somewhat embarrassing garage sale pile and she says - Hey those might look good in the kitchen…she was right!

As soon as we brought them in…it set the whole tone for the room!

I should mention the first step we took and you should take in any room…is editing. This is not the same as de-cluttering. Editing is taking out of the room anything you don’t think you absolutely want to keep in the decor scheme…curtains down, beaded garlands, baskets, whatever…some will find there way back in, but you must first slim the visual pallet down!!

There used to be a cedar bench where the chairs are, but these are sooo cozy! Three of these beach pictures were her FAVE find, so that pushed us into a wide color scheme that really gives the eclectic look she wanted…

We also were fortunate to have the perfect amount of fabric to create no sews in a bold, cheery, and totally yummy print!

The chest was a trade we made a while ago that got me in trouble…sorry sister!! It made a nice mini ‘table’ for displaying her new collection…she will be able to play with this for many seasons to come…

By maximizing her assets (shopping her house) I found this great green screen that actually goes on one of her windows, but they never use it...

The towel bar was already there…we added the vintage linen and the decal which she already had…($5 she paid for it!!)

It really echoes the existing wall words she had on the other side…and that vintage medicine cabinet was one of our finds for just $12!!! It had the makers name and date of 1936 on the back!!

The cabinet and the bread box also give places for storing pens, bills, homework and all of the other things that filter through their very, very busy kitchen since it’s the entryway for their home also!!

And this little launch pad on the opposite wall by the ‘green screen’ gives a place for keys in the mini basket and books, etc in the bigger basket…

So you know I’m not fooling…here’s an example of cost…
Side note: Don’t you think the oval platter really breaks up the ‘boxiness’ of all the other rectangles in the vignette??

So much to be considered when planning vintage eclectic…or really any room…

-pattern…consider shapes
-texture…woods/metals/linens
-size….of furniture and accessories
-color…at least one white and one black item in every room too!
-contrast…mirrors/glass

…too name a few…

Another feature missing in her ‘old’ kitchen is the flow from room to room…it now flows with her dining room, but also by putting one of the beach pics on the entry porch…the kitchen flows out to these!!

Now…you just have to decide where to sit first!!

She even said that her daughter fell asleep in one of these the other night!! I’m so excited that instead of walking through their kitchen…my BFF’s wonderful family can enjoy a family room in their kitchen!! What a privilege and memory maker :)

For me…it was a fun day and I can remember her kitchen re-do while wearing this little vintage smock that only I would wear…well…me and Caroline Ingalls…

…picked up in the loot for $3!

Linking to... http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

http://www.southernhospitalityblog.com/

Birds

2010-04-09T13:14:00.001-07:00

I’ve always thought of birds in decorating as dated and not my style. Lately though…thanks to Shalom’s Cottage Home…I’ve been enjoying birds a little more each day.

I picked up this cute little bird box

spring tablescape...

And…I’m determined to find a functional and savvy way to use this bird planter

and plant stand.

These may be leaving the house soon…

While I was standing in my flower bed behind the garage (talking on the phone). Out of the corner of my eye, I saw two birds swoop over the fence.

Next thing I knew they were flying straight at me…I jumped and screamed! The bird flew straight into my shin! Now…my shins are very little…I’ve been called ‘chicken legs’ or ‘bird legs’ my entire life.

It is now literal!

The bird’s beak apparently hit me so hard it drew blood. Just a bit…but still…blood from a bird hitting you…who has ever heard of such a thing??

Well, I realize my screaming is terrifying the person on the phone and my little man looking on. So…I chill out and walk away from the scene. As I look back the bird is laying there not moving! Now…I’m not going near that bird…

I call my neighbor over who’s been known to take care of my animal issues before…bunnies, dogs, etc…(love ya Gale) and she confirms the bird is dead. The robin is dead.

Despite her friendly CPR attempts. It is dead. Now little man is upset because I hurt the bird!

After repeating the story several times, several people become convinced (after laughing at me) that I should call the doctor just to make sure…

The receptionist laughed so hard she had to excuse herself.

I’m sure you are too.

If you are wondering about the other bird…

Several days later I was working deeper into the flower bed and found a dead robin tucked among the grasses.

Did I really kill two birds with one shin?

Flowers

2010-04-06T19:55:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a sale after our local flower and garden sale…I was able to purchase my first flowers a little early this year!!!

It may still get a little frigid for my friends to be happy in a pot just yet, but they enjoy their nomadic life on this garden cart that I tuck in to the garage on a chilly night…
For now…I just like having them…

“..As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.” Psalm 103:15

Look in my sidebar for more on gardening!
Even a TV demo featuring me and Dr. Earth getting our
hands dirty with organic gardening and seed starting.

Linking to…

Simple Platter Decor

2010-04-04T20:59:00.001-07:00

I have been contemplating adding a collection of white ironstone to my soffit display in the kitchen. It currently has an eclectic mix of enamelware and red handled utensils…

I’ve been thinking that the ironstone platters would bring a little more contemporary and subdued look to my upbeat 50’s style kitchen…mostly I’m just a bit bored with it though…

Instead…I noticed how lovely a pile of rocks that I had dumped out of a vase looked on a white plastic lid as they dried…so…I grabbed the ironstone platter that I picked up for $1 over the weekend!!!

And…

What an easy way to add an outdoor, contemporary, simple touch to my “Sticks and Stones” piano top that's viewed as a mantel (Thanks Nester!)

...and it was just $1!!!!

I also have to tell you that I am SOOO PROUD of myself for finally putting up a simple post instead of writing a novel each time!!!

Enjoy:)

Linking up to

Trash to Treasures

2010-04-03T06:40:00.000-07:00

My Grandma called it dumpin’
My Mom called it garbage pickin’
I call it goin’ green!

Seriously…my mom and her siblings talk of Sunday afternoons spent at the county dump rummaging through the discards for clothes that might be worn or furniture that might be used…

As a child…my siblings and I would all hide on the floor of the car when my mom stopped to check out someone’s trash! We were mortified!!

“Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, I’m my Mother after all!!”

PS…I’ve had brown hair twice in thirty years
and this happens to be one of them…

I have found some of the best stuff along the curbside! We have online groups that tag themselves as “Freecycle” and that makes us feel better about our need to go ‘dumpin’…

Call it what you want…but having these makes ME feel better!

(I was moving the table at the time…ie…odd placed items…)
And this is one of my all time l-o-ves…

And of course you know how these are inspiring my guest room/office for Over The Top Vintage…

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Part 2 is coming soon…I promise…
And while my eye is to the curb…little man benefits too…

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No joke…ALL of this I found for FREE!!! Not too shabby…or maybe shabby chic!!!
Warm weather is here!! Picnics, walks in the park, garage sales…and trash pickin’!!!! L-O-ve it!!!

Check out my "Rust & Moth" corner in the sidebar for more thrifty treasures!!

Vintage Tablescape

2010-03-31T19:27:00.001-07:00

I was motivated by these gorgeous plates that I l-o-ve for so many reasons...chiefly...their price tag of $1 each!!

They are gorgeous standing alone, but I've never had quite the right base for these fabulous vintage salad plates that I picked up years ago at an auction for $10 for the set of 6...

I have always wanted to pull in these vintage glasses with these plates...

Let the Games Begin!

I had extra plates, so I wanted to use those as elevated serving dishes...I flipped some plain bowls upside down and made a little wreath to go around the base with a pink and white berry garland.

Then I shopped the house for these little bowls that I thought I was going to collect after I picked up the vintage plates...

The carrots are for some-bunny who might drop by this weekend…

The tablecloth is double sided and I picked it up at Goodwill. I can't really remember where I got the quilted piece in the middle, but I liked the tie of frilly and vintage it provided on the scene.

Under each glass is a vintage crochet coaster (and I'm actually selling this set of 8 in my etsy store).

In each glass is a little stir stick...each one is different so it helps keep glasses straight when mingling...

The napkins are vintage linen with a bit of fancy work cut out on each.

I often don't set the end of our long table to keep the setting more intimate and to allow space for taller decor that would otherwise block conversation across the table...

I kind of like the way this little bird is peeking out to drop off a hyacinth and remind us of spring's arrival!!!

Well…any-bunny want to come over for dinner????

Linking to:

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Plus...I realized once again...I am under $100!!!
Tablecloth $6
Napkins $4
Dinner plates $9
Salad plates $10
Berry Garland $6
Bird $1
Hyacinth - free
Green vase $1
Candle & wreath $5
Tulips & pot $9
Glasses & stir sticks $25
Coasters $12
Carrots $2
Jadeite bowl and eggs $10
And...this was $100 over 10 years!!!

Last Day for Book Giveaway and Jewelry Giveaway might want to check it out!!!

Jewelry Giveaway!!

2010-03-31T06:09:00.000-07:00

Featured by Becky at Between Naps on the Porch

Click Here to Win!!!

(No strings attached)

Drip, Drip, Drip

2010-03-29T22:43:00.001-07:00

Does a clicking pen bother you? drumming of fingers on the desk? humming? leaky faucet?

We all have our ‘thing’ that makes us crazy! Well…God has some of those too…and a leaky faucet is one of them. Before you go running for your pipe wrench…read on…

“A continual dripping of water,
and a contentious woman are alike”
Proverbs 28:15

Now, before you think about some other crabby, naggy woman…think about the last thing you ‘contended’ for…

In a book I began reading a while back, a husband was affectionately describing how his friends envy his wife. Now I don’t know if she was a trophy to look at, but what they envied was her calm, cool demeanor.

Of course, the other wives chatted over coffee that it was easy for her because she had a thoughtful husband. He was always making little repairs around the house and never forgot important events or commitments…

His story is that his wife rights him a list and leaves him clear reminders and never mentions it again. He admits to thinking of it as a game and often works harder and faster to get it all done to please her!

CONFESSION TIME…in the last 11 years my husband has asked me to write him lists more times than I count! I’m sure I’ve written less than 11!! He grew up in a home with a white board on the fridge for writing everything down! I think of it as cluttery and ugly…he thinks of it as well – normal.

You see…I also ‘contend’ in my mind that it seems bothersome or demanding to make a list…

Well…At the end of the chapter the book asks you to think of and pray about one thing you could for your husband and have stubbornly chosen not to….you already know mine…

As I prayed though I had a flash in my mind…

(now I don’t consider this a prophecy or anything)

But I pictured my cool enamel tray hanging as a write on/wipe off board on the fridge…

It’s taken me several weeks to remember the magnets at the hardware store…(maybe I need a list!)

I have laid down my contention…

… now I can finally read the next chapter!!!

PS…I know it’s not the prettiest thing I’ve ever showed you, but it looks pretty good compared to his way…

Another Book Giveaway

2010-03-27T13:44:00.000-07:00

It may become a bit humbling once you see how many books on marriage I actually have...

But...Our Lord knew that stubborn girls like me might need some advice when he said "Likewise, that the older women...teach the younger women to love their husbands..." (Titus 2:3-5) and a whole list of sometimes very challenging aspects of a woman's journey here on earth...

I have had some wonderful women to teach me through example, friendship, and love in my over 11 years of marriage...yet I also remember some times that I felt totally lost! In those times, I would turn to older women who would reveal themselves through print.

This is one of these...written by Theda Hlavka, wife of 30 years and speaker at FamilyLife...recommended by Dennis Rainey.

If you think you will enjoy...please leave a comment and I will pick a winner next weekend...

Promise Overdue: A peek at the Chicago Flower and Garden Show

2010-03-26T12:56:00.001-07:00

Right away I noticed tulips and hyacinths tucked into every kind of landscape! I L-O-ve this!!! In the northern tundra we wait soooo long for spring to bloom. Spring bulbs give us color before our shrubs and perennials have warmed up for the season. The whole left from spring bulbs is the perfect place to fill in annuals for color punch the rest of the season…

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Another trend that I L-O-ve was the frequent use of kale and purple cabbage. Again, I L-O-ve this because it lends cool-tolerant color for early spring and late autumn.

This picture shows cacti…but replacing it with kale would be a really great statement especially for our lucky southern friends…the kale could last all winter!!

My favorite is always LUCIOUS containers!!!

Dusty Miller is a fun surprise here…

The boxwood is a great backdrop for this colorful mix of bulbs, annuals, and trailing vines…

This monochromatic scheme brings elegance and tranquility --- plus it can be over-wintered indoors…prolonging your investment

Oh…and did I mention we had fun??

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Maybe too much fun!

I've been featured!

2010-03-24T20:59:00.000-07:00

I'm celebrating my first blog feature!!! Becky at Beyond the Picket Fence loved my "Over The Top Vintage" style. To see other great ideas for under $100 click the link below and enjoy!!!
Don't worry...I'll be back with more ideas soon!

Don't forget to grab your free flower fixer and enter to win this week's book giveaway!! I will draw on Friday...

Spring…

2010-03-23T19:31:00.001-07:00

Couldn’t help but post….

I was even getting hot moving all these pots and plants around today!!!!

YIPPEE!!!! Happy Spring!!!!

Ecclesiastes 3:2 There is… A TIME TO PLANT!!!!

Five Dollar Flower Fixer

2010-03-21T20:57:00.001-07:00

Ok…so here it is…

Five dollars.
Five minutes.
Five questions.
Five plants.
Five days.

I L-O-ve container gardening or if you want to be simple about it…I L-O-ve pretty pots!

I wish I had time to go all around town just volunteering to fill up people pots with luscious, gorgeous, fillings!!!

If you’ve read even a bit about me…you know that I would do it if I could…but here’s the next best thing.

Follow these five steps…

1) Send me an email (flowerfixer@att.net)
Subject: Flower Fixer

2) Pay $5 through my etsy shop.
3) I will send 5 questions to your email. (Include a pic with your question responses if you would like)

4) I will respond with customized recipe plans for your container within 5 days

It will include:
> Design layout and planting instructions

> Full color photos of the 5 plants in your custom design
> Approximate cost of the suggested plants
> Tips for planting and care for your custom plants

5) Buy plants at your local garden center and…get your HANDS DIRTY – IT WILL BE BEAUTIFUL!!

A few notes…

- If you are not happy with what you get for your 5 bucks…I’ll refund it…I’m not trying to get rich…just sharing my L-O-ve for flowers!!

- If you would be so kind to leave feedback in the store or here in a comment…I would be very grateful!!

- I can do similar plans for vegetable gardens, flower beds, multiple containers or landscaping…just ask…

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- If you live local and can’t stand dirty hands…well…if you throw in a few chocolate chip cookies…I’m pretty inexpensive labor!

- If you live in a far away exotic, warm place…if you throw in travel expenses…I’ll throw in labor free! :)

I’ll stop now with the bad jokes, but the first three people to send me the email…will get FLOWER FIXER FOR FREE!

Fun for me – Thanks to you

2010-03-20T20:39:00.001-07:00

I have been just “tickled to death” (insert southern accent please) to have so many readers so early in to my blogging journey! I’ve seen various giveaways for various prizes done for various reasons in various ways….so…I’m not even going to pretend that this is any ingenious contrived variation…

(My sisters are no longer reading because of those last 3 words!)

My point is…I have nothing cool enough to give away to attract a lot of attention or make you feel like you’ve won the blogs version of the lottery – sorry.

I do however have a stack of books that I have enjoyed that are in great condition! So…I will be posting a book giveaway each weekend for a while and if it’s a book you would like to have then post a comment telling me briefly why you want it…I’ll contact you by email if you win, so I can ship it to you. I will feel good that someone else will enjoy the book and you can feel good --- well, because it’s FREE!!! I L-O-ve FREE!!!This week’s book: In Praise of Stay-at-Home-Moms by Dr. Laura

Feel good, easy to read book. Leave a comment if you want it.

Have a great weekend!!!!

Over the Top Vintage

2010-03-17T22:05:00.001-07:00

I brought home some of my freebies stored at my moms. (Yes I said some – and ‘stored’ means used as decor in her house until I find a place for it in mine) ~thanks mom~.

I knew I was going to be putting the dresser in the office-bedroom to replace a table and plastic 3 drawer container that I use for fabric and linens…
It needs new knobs and maybe a paint job (maybe) but the detail is wonderful and the storage - even more wonderful!

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Sitting in this room was also this cherry picker ladder that I L-O-ve but I can’t ever find a place for because it’s 5’ high and 4’ wide
Only I would even consider this!

I started feeling it when I added this picture and tucked the chair – oh…yeah…the chair! I found it sitting next to the road last week…I didn’t have room for it in my car at the time so again ~thanks mom~.

Maybe I’ll do a slip-cover or reupholster it…
but maybe its my tid-bit whimsical…

Next I added this old 5 loaf bread pan that I’ve recently started using to organize a few random things…
I added all the pieces I needed to function there….storage boxes, laminator, a couple of books…and then I thought of my blue Ball jars from Kane County!! Yippeee!!! More containers for sorting pens, nailfiles, etc….
So here it is…I may wake up in the morning and hate it, but I’m thinking I just might L-O-ve it too!!

Not only is it vintage and made of pieces I L-O-ve, but it TOTALLY qualifies for the Under $100 party at Beyond the Picket Fence…

- Chair FREE from curbside
- Dresser FREE from estate sale…
- Globe $10 – antique mall
- Picture $5 – garage sale
- Ball jars $10 – flea market
-Bread pan $20 – antique mall
- Photo storage boxes $6 – Goodwill
- Pillow $3 – Goodwill
- Fabric $6 – clearance sale
Bible - PRICELESS
TOTAL $60!!!

Even…laminator $20 & label maker – free gift…leaves me with $20 left to add to the project…hmmm….
This is also featured in “Vintage Thingy Thursday” at Coloradolady.

Notice there is extra space in the drawer…I’ve cleaned out some vintage linens and those will be available soon in my up and coming etsy shop…check back if you think you might L-O-ve my linens:)

Join me soon for "Shop Your House" Weekly Linky Parties...

Oh...and did you see my new button??

Linking to...

What I did at work today

2010-03-16T18:43:00.000-07:00

My first time writing and directing anything!!!
Tell me what you think of my commercial...

Ode’ to the Porch!

2010-03-14T21:37:00.001-07:00

SPRING has sprung!!! We do not refer to the calendar, the growing season, or even officially to the weather to know when spring has arrived here in the northern tundra…

When we can eat on the porch (3 season) --- SPRING IS HERE!!! We had our first meal of the season there today…I was so glad that I had a chance to clean up the mess that I revealed to you in “Glimpses of Home”…

…so while still a work in progress…it offers a bit of redemption…

This picture may seem a bit busy still to some, but check out everything that we do in this 10X12 area…we quite literally could live there!! As soon as I make room for a bed…I promise I will sleep there too!

Starting at lower left and going around the room clockwise…

Launch Pad:

If you’ve read my blog more than just once…you know that red igloo is an important part of our home…This is literally just inside the back door, so it’s ready to head out with my hard-working man at 4am! The little basket on the shelf gives a place to keep drinks for a quick grab and go…
Potting Table:
I just added this by shopping my extra bedroom. It is especially helpful this time of year for starting seeds and potting. It can double as a buffet since the porch is right off the kitchen!
Cozy chair:
These are my most recent thrift find…my other chairs were also vintage and looked good but these are more comfy and a little richer…uh-oh…am I getting too fancy??? There is actually room on either side of the chair to add a plant or maybe shift things and add a coat rack…
Storage:
This is what I really consider the potting bench…because of it’s look, but I use it to keep a few “pretties” on top…stash gardening tools, pencils, sunscreen and anything else that lands in there until I declutter (again). The open shelves are great for toys and books.
Curl up Bench:
This was previously where the potting table is…originally I thought it would be a place where we would sit to take off shoes, but we seem to just pile things on it…I think it will be clear more often for reading! And…now visitors with babies can use it as a diaper changing station…because we are d-o-n-e with that! More about the bench…click here.
Seat for a friend:
2nd of the two super comfy, rich chairs…one for you and one for me…

Picnic Table:
More than one person has suggested ditching the picnic table for a round patio table…that would be much too ‘rich’ for me!! ha. I could go on and on…but it provides extra seating for joining the circle of chatting when other seats are occupied…it fits 8-10 people for devouring yummy meals…and it gives me a vintage, warm fuzzy that I can’t live without!!

Shoes off Spot:
The bench is great for removing shoes or setting things down to free up a hand…the shoes also line neatly under the bench…out of sight…and ready for the next departure.

Kid Table:
If you have kids…I do not have to tell you why you need a place at their level and a place to put your feet up when they go to bed! I will likely paint it, but until the grass grows…the green is kind of a nice substitute!

Almost every item on the porch is thrift or vintage, but I did just add a couple of IKEA items from my Chicago adventure that I wanted to tell you about… This great little basket folds to a flat tote or opens to a 12X12X15” basket!!

The other is the paper roll on the picnic table

It will make clean up after a meal as easy as a restaurant!!

The first masterpiece off the roll --- It is a RACETRACK of course!!!

I still need to tweak some color schemes and play with accessories, but for the first day of the season…we L-O-ve our porch!

Where’s the “porch” of your home?

Follow me…Kane County flea market

2010-03-14T19:53:00.001-07:00

It’s a little disturbing to me: Why do they call it a flea market???

I’m not the only flea though…note how far we had to walk up this road because of all the cars on the right…

First stop: Small little booth…$3 sign caught my eye…wait it’s tote bags…hand-made tote bags…recycled from T-shirt tote bags…$3!!! Picked up a cute little tote for my 11 year old goddaughter…can’t show you because I haven’t given it to her yet…

Make several more stops to look at mirrors, food, jewelry, candles, well the list is too long! Second buy:(I’m in the green shirt) Nothing was tagged which is usually a no! for me…pet peeve I guess…but this older lady was so sweet and her booth was vintage feminine that I couldn’t help myself! I say how much…she says $6…I say OK (it’s early & I love it) she say's I’ll take $5 – SOLD!!

I think this will make an adorable apron!

I wouldn’t be me without buying plants if I see them…We also decided at that point that although the stroller is wonderful for toting items…it’s slowing down our ability to hunt! (it was very crowded.) Plant guy mentions what a brilliant idea the stroller is and I say we thought so, but really wish we could stash it…he offers to keep it at his booth with my new planter & boxwood. SCORE!!! Cool basket only $9!!!

It was warming up outside, so we decided to head out there…

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I love the hunt! These table full of boxes or wrapped dishes and odds and ends that we could tear through was just my thing!!

Then I waited in line to see what ‘Bert’ wanted for my treasures. I couldn’t believe my eyes and ears…did he say $2?? SOLD AGAIN!!

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Yes…all 3 of these…$2!!!

So I ask what he would like for a box full of blue jars?

He says ‘how many in the box?
I say ‘about a baker’s dozen.’
He says ‘$2 a jar’
I say ‘no thanks’
He says ‘$20’
I say ‘$15’
He says ‘$18’
I say ‘$18 and you hold them until the end of the day’ – SOLD!

Next we head into another building…just inside the door…my sister says “oohh…I love this basket!”I say ‘that’s pretty’ in a half-hearted sister way…and we walk across the aisle…now I say “I love this basket!”

No further comment needed…

Next up…I found some great cotton rag rug style woven placemat

She finds a really great picnic basket – only $7!!!

She’s lucky she saw it first…and I know if it hadn’t had a bright pink flower on it…she wouldn’t have looked twice!! She has a shabby chic side dying to come out!!!

We made a few other purchases…asking each place to hold our items until the end of the day…at 4pm we executed our ingenious plan…headed back to the stroller…

and began our rounds of picking up our goodies!! We finished 25 minutes before closing…just enough time to sneak in to the last building and although many of the vendors were closed or closing we hunted down two of our best finds: Click on this flower to read about why I L-O-ve it!! (and what we did with the kid who is supposed to be IN the stroller!!!)

And the last purchase of the day…

This “French Shopping Cart” scored at half price!!!! Now she just has to find a way to hook it on the back of her groovy pink scooter!!

So I leave my sister, the stroller and her shopping cart and start trotting back to the car…this is me walking past the same parking lot that was full earlier…

And the tiny little black dot on the right is our car in the outer parking lot…

We were the very LAST people to leave Kane County’s opening day…and couldn’t have been happier!!!

Are you a hunter?? Are you ready for open season???

This post is linked to thrifty mondays...go there to see more great ideas at Southern Hospitality...

You also might enjoy my 'thrift find corner'..."Where Rust and Moth Doth Decay"

Glimpses of Home

2010-03-13T10:41:00.001-08:00

Emily at Chatting at the Sky is hosting a heart-warming link asking us to share a quick glimpse of what makes our house feel like Home to us…and now…I have that song off of Hope Floats stuck in my head…”Feels like Home to me…Feels like home to me…Feels like I’m all the way back where I come from…” I’m sure I have the words wrong…I should NEVER be on the Singing Bee…I’m sure my sisters will tell me what the words should be so just watch for a comment….

If you’ve shared coffee, a meal, or just a good chat here then you know why this is home to me…

This is what it looks like at the moment…

Yes…there is a chair on top of the table!! And…note the short table for foot propping turned on end…

I was moving furniture, when we had yet another ebay explosion…followed by my evacuation to Chicago for the week!

A closer look though will reveal a new chair and the blue IKEA bag so you know there’s a fresh new look coming soon and bound to be blogged about! If for no other reason, but to redeem myself!

Either way…it’s home to me…you can’t have beautiful without getting your hands dirty!

PS…the little red igloo in the corner is testament to the fact that life does carry on despite my chaos!!

What’s HOME to you?

friend of a Friend

2010-03-09T19:56:00.001-08:00

I hope that you are as excited to see my flea market finds from opening weekend of Kane County flea market as I am to show you!! I will likely post on Sunday to participate in Monday’s Thrifty Finds at Southern Hospitality.

In the meantime…I want to tell you about the coolest thing I found at Kane County…

It was near the end of the day…actually only about twenty minutes left. Our hands were full and our stroller was loaded down to capacity and missing the kid!!

We traded him for all this cool stuff!!

(Of course I’m kidding…my wonderful brother-in-law played Hot Wheels for 5 hours so we could have this adventure!) I love you Russ, and I will remember you when I’m famous!! –i mean infamous…

Many vendors were closing down - when I was allured to the next booth by the colors of aqua and shabby white!! (FYI…this year’s ‘official’ hot color for fashion & home decor)

What I discovered there though was even cooler than this stuff…

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I noticed the back of the design was signed, so I asked the vendor if she was the artist…she kindly said yes…and I started firing questions like the poor lady was under interrogation!

Through our interrogation…I mean conversation…I found out that she dedicated her life to happily making a home and raising her 3 children and just started this venture only 2 months ago!! After listening to me ramble about etsy, Shalom’s cottage home, The Green Thumbers, Austin, and my philosophies on life…we exchanged ‘cards’ (mine was just my name scribbled on something – sassy!)

I walked away pleased with my new finds and wondering why I give people the gift of talking about “that crazy lady” the rest of the day!

To my delight…when I got in tonight…I had an email with subject line…"Crazy at Kane County” --- Hey – that’s ME!!!

She nailed me for crazy, but she had a hint I was a Christian also…so she found my blog. Isn’t it wonderful the family we find in our Friend!

Proverbs 18:24

PS…I hope to bring you more features about my friend of the Friend sometime in the future:)

Blessings to all who share in our Lord’s wonderful L-O-V-E!

Well Said with Walligraphy

2010-03-08T07:29:00.001-08:00

A picture paints a thousand words they say…but sometimes you just need a few words to share the heart of your home…

Most people are becoming at least a little familiar with vinyl wall words – have you tried it yet?

It is such an easy way to bring punch to any room.

You can use wall words on a variety of surfaces…mirrors as seen on the TV demo today (March 8th) on Paula Sands for The Green Thumbers. But also on old windows, flower pots, buckets, cabinet doors and anything else your creative mind can scheme…

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Every home should have some entry welcome or ‘warning’ !

I offer both at my home :)

For my visitors…
For my boys…

Many great phrases are offered in store at The Green Thumbers…we can also set up customization by emailing me (see profile).

Hope you enjoy the demo and pick out a great place to share the heart of your home…

A few tips:

- Lay your lettering out flat for easier installation.

- The smoother the surface, the better the finished decal will look

- Use a flat tool (even a credit card) to smooth out the letters

- It peels off the wall later, so it’s great for renters or people like me who L-O-ve change!

- Think outside the ‘wall’…flower pots, doors, sides of bath tubs…almost anywhere!

GREAT GIFT IDEAS personalized from The Green Thumbers

Picture frames and wall art

It is FUN, FUN, FUN to design your own

You don’t even have to commit to the design right away..

You can save your design online…

Click on any of the pictures to HAVE FUN NOW:)

Please tell me if you enjoyed the site and include a note that you found it here if you order!! Have fun – I hope you L-O-ve it!!!

What's My Typical Day from Kelly's Korner

2010-03-04T21:27:00.000-08:00

What's a 'typical' day??? I'm not sure I have one, but I'll give it a try because I'm diggin McLinky;) and Kelly's Korner was kind enough to let us share...

I think Mrs. Proverbs 31 would have said something similar...if we honor God as we serve others a carousel is a great ride!
My high school sweetheart's alarm sometimes wakes me up at 4am. I try to whisper...I love you and have a good day. I do love him and I do hope he has a good day, but I think I really mean "THANK YOU for working so hard and getting up before dark so I don't have to!" I haven't yet achieved Proverbs 31:15 "she rises while it is yet night..." I do try on most days to rise before the son (note s-o-n) and sneak in a Bible reading, a prayer, and of course check the phone for email, facebook, etc. updates...

I go into Austin's room (he's 2) and say "Good Morning Son" and he say's one of two things..."I'm all waked up" or "I'm all done dreaming!" L-O-ve it!!! Then it's breakfast for him at his mini table and a movie (I know bad-bad!) and then I finish getting ready for the day.

Next up work out at the Y...walking, running, and toning...occassionally swimming together - those are great days!! We also have to have our job done by 11am. I say 'our' job because since he was 6 mos old and I took on this SAHM life (poor description - more like DWFTM doesn't work full time mom) we have been cleaning the VFW hall together. It gets old, but it's good spending money, and he is learning so much from the responsiblity and comraderie he gains from this.

This puts us near lunch time. Hopefully we can stop at home for lunch and a nap!! On a great day...I nap too!! Typically though...I have three tasks to accomplish during nap -- school work for me (Online UoP student finishing BEd), any work from home that I can accomplish for The Green Thumbers (home & garden center - I merchandise, buy & market) and now...blogging. Most people think I wouldn't have time to this, but I enjoy so much sharing not just my hobbies, but my faith with whoever's willing to listen! It's also a bit of a self-challenge...

When Austin wakes we try to have a little 'school time'....Bible stories, letters, numbers and then of course Hot Wheels!! He's so much like his daddy!

Then I try to sneak away and let him play to finish whatever I didn't get done during nap time. Suddenly...I look at the clock and we better sweep through the house for a quick clean up and get supper going. I like to use that time to teach Austin little things like how to set the table, put the silverware away or anything else he can somewhat safely reach!

Um...I think I'm starting to talk about how I wish the day went...

We try to have a sit down supper at least a few times a week when we can find the table. Then if it's Monday or Thursday...we put little man down by 7pm (lucky - I know!) and catch an hour of TV together. Then my sweetie heads for bed, and I'm back into action...grocery shopping, making his lunch for the next day, laundry, workout (if not done earlier), phone calls, and check back into life online...

Somedays include blowing up his lunch...click on the red igloo...

Now not included in this rather simple description is any of these or other random things:

- gardening

- canning and storing fresh foods

- preparing Bible lessons for classes at church

- daily talks with mom, sister and random friends

- letting the dogs in and out of the house/feeding and watering

- decorating

- flirt text my love

- reading magazines

- going to church

- hitting the Goodwill

- library & storytime

- stopping for ice cream

- antiquing

- watching Little House on the Prairie

- writing a book

- oh...and cleaning!

The truth is at the end of the day...my works are nothing if I have not remembered...

"Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands,

And let her own works praise her in the gates"

P.S. I'm currently working on taking my many lessons for teen girls and women on Proverbs 31 and compiling them into a corresponding mother/daughter Bible study. I would L-O-ve for you to share your thoughts and experiences from Proverbs 31!!!

All in a quart! by DirtyHands-Beautifullife

2010-03-04T16:19:00.001-08:00

The Nester asked us about our chalkboards, so here's my bit on it...

We are living in our third home that we've owned...it is the smallest of three. They have gotten progressively smaller even though our family hasn't...hmmm...something appears to be wrong with this picture...

I am grateful for our 1600 sq ft home because God has used it to teach me about what is really important in a home.

One of the ugliest places in the house was this awkward skinny hall about 3' long and 3' wide between the living/dining space and the kitchen. It also has the door to the basement and no light! Very dark...so I decided to lighten it up by painting one wall black - chalkboard black! He thought I was crazy (still does, really)

It made that ugly old hallway one of everyone's favorite features in our home. Not just because they love to write on the chalkboard, but even when it's all black and not in use it looks very clean, trendy- and creates the transition from working space to living space.

In honor of my new found attitude...I also have this favorite quote posted in the middle of the chalkboard. In the beginning it was a reminder of the proper attitude to have. Now it is a reflection of my philosophy.

One night after our bathroom was freshly painted, the vanity was driving me bonkers...it looked similar to this

(this is actually the one from my upstairs bathroom-yikes!)

The chalkboard paint was calling out my name. I had no idea if it would work so I tried it on the inside door first. Not only did it work, but it dried so fast...the whole project was done in 2 hours! That's my kind of D.I.Y.

There's still a bit of paint left in that quart so the next project...

I plan to ditch the curtains and hopefully make roman blinds like these from Delightful Dwelling. I also want to take down the little knick-knack (or knick-not) shelves and trim. Then I will chalkboard paint the side of the cabinets and maybe put a Scripture verse above the sink...

Then I could keep my prayer requests on one side and praises on the other...maybe it would be even easier to forget about the dirty dishes in between!!

All this...in a quart!!

A few VERY RANDOM tips on chalkboard paint...

- It needs boundaries...a frame, a door, or in my case molding...when it's on a wall with a 'free edge' it doesn't give the same affect

- Place it strategically so that you will use it!!

- Cool on flower pots, desk tops, and lots of other dirty-beautiful places!

- I made my nieces travel kits by painting old metal trays with chalkboard paint and including a little bag with alphabet magnets and chalk

- Erasers don't do a lot for it...I use a wet cloth

- About once a year...I roll over mine with a quick coat to freshen the look

- SHARE!!! Let anyone write on it --- it's FUN!!!

Thanks to The Nester for inviting us to tell the world about our chalkboards:)

Who needs dinner when you can decorate?

2010-03-02T20:37:00.000-08:00

When I posted Ecc. 3:3 "A time to tear down, and a time to build up" the inspiration for Salvaged Vintage Decor, I didn't know it was going to be so literal in my home!

To your disappointment...I will not show you all of my messes in one post.

I'm all about real-life beautiful ---that means we need dinner AND decor!! When my table looks like this I know it's time to 'get my hands dirty' in the dining room...

(my alibi: rough day-sick little one)

(his alibi: I need another "please-do" list because I'm spending too much time on ebay)

As a quick fix for this mess...I used my find of a 2 sided tablecloth (see my 'finds' on the right column) and some $4 grocery store flowers...
For cut flowers choose heads that are still somewhat closed to make the boquet last longer at home.

Sunflowers have thick stems so use pruners instead of scissors...
Helpful hint...rubberband stems of sunflowers together so you can achieve the angle of display you like!

Many of you would have picked a different vase, but it's my tribute for the week to all the over-time put into the 'big green tractors...'

Now I have one end pretty for my sanity, 2 places for our breakfast in the morning, and a spot to do my reading. At the end of the day tomorrow I will be so delighted to quickly move my tray of reading out of the way and set a place for him (to do list included).

Salvaging me

2010-03-01T19:18:00.000-08:00

So I looked up salvage today in the dictionary and basically all of it's old meanings have to do with salvaging from a ship! Even more appropriate for my thoughts because I feel like my ship was shot at over the weekend, and I wasn't sure if it was friendly fire or not:)

I had an opportunity randomly thrown in my lap to teach which is what I expect to do someday, since I am in my last year of finishing my teaching degree. At first, I was so very excited! Then as the list of pros and cons were laid out...things didn't seem so sublime.

I find it difficult to make decisions about the little things like what to have for supper. Decisions about the big things are just plain bothersome to me! I didn't want to miss the opportunity if its what God was putting before me, but it also seemed inconsistent that God's plan would mean forsaking my family plan for now.

In the intro to my blog I mention that I often feel like I'm on a carousel. Teaching seems like a logical way to jump off of a spinning circus ride.

Well, guess what...carousels make me dizzy sometimes, but I love carousels! Look at a kids face riding a carousel, listen to the music...who doesn't want to go for a ride?!

So, I think maybe the salvaging God was doing was on my perspective and my attitude. I think he was stripping me down to make sure that I was real. Do I really love what I'm doing now? It may not feel like it on days that the carousel gets to spinning too fast, but YES. I L-O-ve the ride I'm on!!

Salvaged Vintage Decor

2010-03-01T13:42:00.000-08:00

Today I took my two year old to Monkey Joe's for the first time...after a couple of hours of that...this vintage mama needed a little salvaging...a reviving power nap inspired me to tell you about something I L-O-ve...

I L-O-ve architectural salvage! I love it best when I pull it out of the "curb appeal pile"(aka someone's trash pile), but I also enjoy watching for pieces at flea markets, antique shops, and anywhere else it may linger.

I think of the great effort and passion put into each curve and detail of building even when resources were so few, and I can't stand the thought of these 'leftovers' being crush, burned or left to rot...

>>>I am NOT a hoarder...in fact I'm anti-hoarder...so I do what I can one piece at a time:)

My special passion is windows as you probably noticed in my "God Opens a Window" post... There's just something about dreaming about what someone saw out the window 100 years ago that seems more serene to me than what I might see out my own window on any given day...

(although some of the windows in this house are likely 100 years old and to accent that we dress 'em up with that fine little winterizing plastic -- very classy!)

These are the first windows I ever purchased. There are actually three of them...you will see them used in more than one way over time...it's one of my favorite items to move...

And you've probably seen something like this before. This is a round floor vent that would have been used to let heat get through to an upper level...I think it's a great simple piece to give punch to an otherwise narrow boring place by the front door. I like to think that me buying this was the inspiration for every decor store in town to offer lightweight metal replicas...

This is not architectural salvage, but I bought it in a salvage store...can you tell what it is?

It's a drawer front from an old chest of drawers! The handles act as ready made hooks...fantastic by an entryway for bags or as a towel holder in the bathroom...

Now...drumroll...please...

This is a shelf that I designed from a pile that looked similar to this...

The long portion of the shelf is a wide door frame....It rests on corbels (I think thats what they are called??) I never could find a place for my family photos and this is going to work great because it's above a window which would otherwise be wasted space! I can't wait to play with the design of what sits on the shelf over and over again!

I'll keep you "posted" on what I do with my remnants...I've got it a beautiful plan in my head, now I just have to get my hands dirty!

"And a time to build up, and a time to tear down." Ecc. 3:3

Short tables in front of couches

2010-02-26T13:20:00.000-08:00

I have never bought a coffee table. In fact, I've rarely seen a cup of coffee on the short table- like things that I have set in front of the couch over the years. #1 rule for me about these short tables: - If I can't prop my feet up on it at the end of a long day then it doesn't belong in front of the most comfortable seat in the house.
My first coffee table was an old army trunk that my husband's great grandpa gave him. It served it's duty for years in our multiple family rooms. Sometimes I would drape it with fabric, other times I would use only a runner, and if you can believe it sometimes I left it bare other than a few accessories on top.

After much fretting over what was then (and probably still is) the most expensive antique that I had every bought...I called a dear friend to use her Vibe and headed out on the 30 mile drive to take the plunge. It has earned it's keep!! No one knows what it really is but it has served as end table, coffee table and conversation piece...it's what I'm using currently

And this was an item bought from my first ever auction!!! (maybe I can blame the bench for my instant addiction...) I used it on my front porch for ages, but when we moved here I employed it as my foot propper of choice. I really liked it, but I needed a change...

So...for Christmas one year I moved this guy into place as a foot propper...

I love it for the pop of red at the holiday time, but it's too much red throughout the year...I've thought about painting it, but then I lose the opportunity for it's holiday cheer as winter sets in...

As it has been termed...I "shop my house" I call it maximizing my assets and my budget. Plus, now that makes me green! So the red table serves as play & snack table.

The bench has made a cozy vignette in an otherwise lost hallway...

...and so you are not disappointed...the army trunk has it's place as one of the most used seats in the house...it makes a cozy little love seat on the porch when we have company, it's a good diaper changing table when we are playing outside, and I've been known to catch a few zzzz's in the sunshine too! Shhh!! Don't tell anyone...

So, lately I've been thinking of buying the coffee table that matches our TV stand, but then what would I do on afternoons that I'm trying to avoid housework...

Tell me I'm not alone...

What's your coffee table? Do you have any items of furniture that move around your home?

He’s Still Working on Me

2010-02-24T12:17:00.001-08:00

We used to sing a little song…He's Still Working on Me…to make me what I ought to be…it took Him just a week to make the moon and the stars, the sun and the Earth and Jupiter and Mars…how loving and patient He must be-
because He's still working on me!

I was accused of being extra talented twice this week. The good Lord knows that it would not be a good idea for me to be running around like a chicken with a BIG HEAD cut off…so…He reminded me last night that I am not fit to really give advice on anything!!! I can't even boil an egg!!

This is the third time in six months that I have set eggs to boil (feeling like a pretty good wife for boiling these for my husband's lunch) then forgot about them until I smelled something burning…

BOOM…egg explosion!!
So...I leave a little note that there will not be an egg served into today's red igloo...and head for bed. I tiptoe quietly in to the room knowing that if I wake him…he's gonna smell my rotten eggs!

Sure enough though…sniff…sniff…what's that smell? I reply with "I'm disastrous! I can't even boil an egg!" He surprises me and says sleepily…"I was going to tell you to boil 'em a little longer than you have been."

I give a little laugh, but I'm still perturbed by the mess in the kitchen! He rolls over…"maybe somewhere in between would be good."

Now…I laugh and laugh and decide my verse for the next day!!
Needless to say…we will not be having egg salad, deviled eggs, or any other kind of boiled egg with our ham for dinner tonight!! Or should we…

There's A Reason our Eggs are Cheap!!!

**Note to Self: Take pictures for blog next time...I'm sure you would all have been amused by my the MESS I had to clean up!!"

Sticks and Stone

2010-02-22T11:18:00.000-08:00

The snow fell quickly again last night, but to my delight...it's also melting quickly inspiring me not to give up on spring!!
Had about 30 minutes free between morning chores and lunchtime routine...so I optimized my time management and hit a priority - The Goodwill.

Watched a lady leaving with a gorgeous $8 quilt as I entered, but didn't let that "mess" with my attitude...I'll just have to find my own beauty in here! Nothing in furniture. Nothing in linens. Austin's being good...I'll dig deeper...

FIRST FIND OF THE DAY!!
Next up...potty training in the goodwill bathroom...sing to self..."You're gonna miss this...you're gonna want this back..."

IRONIC: receive text from husband..."how's ur day going?" Pause to reflect...reply...Good!

Sure enough...this was my little pile of messy beautiful that made me smile...

Now...isn't that scarf kind of cute...!! I think I can wear it and/or use it in my decorating. Plus...when I got home I noticed it said...

Warriors In Pink!! --- l-o-ve it!

This is it next to my 21st century flower-arranging book.

Solomon said it first..."there is nothing new under the sun"

OK...so this just isn't me...although I wouldn't argue if my husband sent the flowers because I could mix up those mums, paint the shutters and throw it in a different container...

...these are what really caught my eye.

Botanicals are very HOT in arranging right now and I l-o-ve the feel of bringing the outdoors in!

WARNING: You will see the top of my piano often!

The way our home is configured...it can only go in our great room. It's not really a priority because I rarely get around to playing it, but my dad spent endless hours restoring it when I was young and it's a must keep! The top allows me room for "clutter" that I try to minimize in other places, so it gets changed as often as I get the urge...

So this is what it looked like when I started. I love the earthy and vintage feel of stoneware...

...notice the cute contemporary bird in a frame...see "Shalom's Cottage Home" for details.

The book got me in the mood to move some "sticks" into the room. One of my favorite is so traditional, but so contemporary in it's look...pussy willow.

Now...here's the new look...

For those of you who noticed my other new book..."The Smart Home"...check back because I also bought A House That Cleans Itself for $5 - what a steal!!...although I'm still waiting for it to clean the dust bunnies above the piano...

Comment and tell me: What's the last thrift store item you bought?

Our Daily Bread

2010-02-17T06:56:00.000-08:00

CHALLENGE OF THE DAY: "If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father's house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God" Gen 28:20-21

If you like shopping like I do...you have no lack of clothes...

So...how many of you have a breadmaker buried somewhere in a closet or cupboard??? Dust it off (consider that your cleaning for the day!) and bake a loaf to fill your home with the aroma of sweet love.

If you were married before 1990 or after 2005...you likely didn't get a breadmaker for a wedding gift...in that case open a box of quick muffin mix and get to it!!

Don't forget to tell us what you make and how sweet the smiles are on the

faces of those you love!

When God forgets the door...he opens a window...???

2010-02-16T18:10:00.000-08:00

Our house was built in the early 1900's so who knows if it even had an indoor watercloset or an outhouse in the beginning...? What I do know, is somewhere in the last couple of decades a somewhat thoughtful D.I.Y'er decided to put a large bathroom on the mainfloor. The problem...is...they forgot the rest of the tub or perhaps they figured this fabulous fiberglass would give the illusion of a clawfoot (which I would LOVE to have!!). However, the Good Lord says "in whatsoever state I'm in therewith to be content." That state includes a state of incompletion in my 8x8 bathroom!

I have a thing for old windows...so...
Until the forunate day when a gracious soul freecycles a clawfoot...I am content!

Make one contentment decision in your house today and tell me about it!!

2010-02-15T19:44:00.000-08:00

Alright...so...this is probably the last subject that I would have picked for my first blog, but today was "get the kitchen dirty day." I had two hours in the kitchen and I love to make a mess in the kitchen!!!

On dirty kitchen day...you will always find a pot of soup simmering because it can cook while I do other things and then one evening in the week when I don't feel like cooking...I have a little secret weapon to pull out. I decided to make a soup that I LOVE...I got it from a friend when she made me a big pot of it when I was sick. So...first...you have to stop and thank God for friends like that. Speaking of God...2 hours in the kitchen...uh...let's sing his praises....

A Capella in and ready to go....

This is an easy, inexpensive, and healthy soup...it takes a bit to simmer in between ingredients so it was a great chance to restock my "stock-ups"

My stock up's are fresh...pre cut...pre packaged goods ready to go.

I ALWAYS have chopped onion in the freezer...I simply chop an onion and put it in a freezer bag. I buy a 3lb bag and chop it all up in the same day...it's a great chance to have a good cry and stock-up on ready to go flavor for many recipes!

This recipe asks for celery, and I don't always put it in but today I did. I've NEVER used a whole long celery stick...so why have it in your fridge that way!?!!?? Once I opened I chopped it up into edible sticks...and in the name of going green...I cut the top off the bag and put the chopped pieces right back in the same bag! Now I have a soup going and a little healthy snack to munch on and stash in lunches...

While I'm sharing my favorite tricks...let's talk about my favorite bowl - well 2 favorite bowls!!!

I used this bowl to measure out my potatoes for the recipe...then I used it measure my water...I considered the water "rinsing it" and then used it to make pea salad for supper...it has a great lid and will go in the dishwasher later tonight...I'm sure many of you have this bowl...
But...I would guess very few or almost none of you have this bowl!

I typically use my vintage items to make the messy things in life beautiful, but not this one... I would likely pay an irrational price for one if and when I see it in the store in the other 3 sizes I hope to one day have. I got this one on ebay and while I scored it for a good price, I just didn't get the same high as the hunt and kill feel of flea marketing and antiquing. I spent a few moments in between singing to think about how some lady over 50 years ago thought this was the best mixing bowl ever!!

She was probably a better cook than me...and she probably wore high heels and a skirt, but look...I have celery ready for snacks, onion in the freezer, potatos cut for tonight's mashed potatoes, pea salad in the fridge for supper and lunches...and a delcious soup to put in the fridge too!!

So...what's your favorite soup? What's your favorite trick for "stock-ups?" Truthfully...I didn't tell you my truly favorite stock-up that I just discovered...I'll save that for another day since I seem to be confusing blogging and writing a novel!!