Happy 2013!!!

Wishing you and your family

a 

Happy and Healthy

New Year!

Snowmen in Jar

I have a bunch of jars collecting dust. So when looking at the box wondering what to do.  Snow globes!

I had the wooden snowmen.  I bought them one year after the holidays at AC Moore. I love when my stash comes into play.  Painted up the snowmen, glued them to the bottom of the jar.  Cut up very fine tissue paper.  

There you go.  Love the way it came out.  Fits perfect with my things. I have a snowman bingo coming up in January.  Will definitely be putting one of these in the basket.

TGIF!!!

Enjoy your day!

Soup's On!

Finally starting to feel like winter with the temps dropping.  Perfect soup weather.  This is one of our favorite recipes.  Very easy to put together.  Comes out perfect every time. Tonight it will be this and grilled goat cheese and red pepper sandwiches.

Crock pot Potato Soup

1 can chicken broth

5 cups cubed peeled baking potato

1 cup chopped onion

1 cup sliced celery

1 cup sliced carrots

3 Tbl  butter or margarine

1tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

3 cloves of garlic minced

1/4 cup flour

1.5 cups milk

shredded cheese

Take the first 9 ingredients and put in a slow cooker.  Mix well.  Cover and cook on high

setting for 1 hour.   Then reduce to low heat for approx 4.5 hrs or until vegetables

are tender.  Put setting on high.

Place flour in bowl and gradually add milk, stirring until well blended and no lumps. 

Pour into hot soup, stir well.  You will cook this for approx 30 mins until it thickens, with the 

lid off, stirring often.  

When serving, sprinkle with desired cheese.  

Enjoy!

8 More Days!

 Made some sprays for the doors around the house.  Didn't cost me a thing.

Had all the materials, didn't have to buy anything.   Easy way to dress up the place. Plus,

dropping some off to friends, to share what I had. 

 This is what I decided to go with.  I put greens around the top of the frame and

added a bird pick.  Not fond of the big lights during the day. But, sure looks good

at night.

 Found these decorative stickers at Walmart. In the clearance bin!  Now, how can

you pass that up?  Maybe I should of put it on a lighter colored wall. 

Still love it. 

This I put together with all the things I have.  I knew that stock pile  of 

things would go to good use.  And all the time dh kept saying, "throw it all out". 

Glad I didn't.  Repainted the sled, added some greens and picks.  

Love it!

Can't believe the days are going so fast.

Christmas will be here before you know it.

Wishing for a White Christmas here.

Market Finds!

We found some sleds at the market.  Told dh that I would like to see, a birdhouse.  That he did.  He

attached a box. Which he made from old cranberry boxes.  Made the hole and framed out the front.  It is framed out with old barn wood.  .

This one I kept plain and just hung a pair of skate frames to it. 

This one is the smallest of the 3.  I think I will be keeping this one. Keep changing up what I want on it. Really haven't decided what to display on it.  When I do, I will take a picture at the front door.  

16 more days till Christmas!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Tis' The Season

Fall is in the air...

the beautiful colors, the smell of wood burning, the brisk days and nights.  Wish it was like that all year.  Started baking and cooking more in the kitchen.  Giving the grill a rest. The crock pot has been a good friend on most nights.  My husband makes a mean roast in it.  MMM, with mashed potatoes and gravy.  Comfort food.  Now with the holidays coming, it will be alot of comfort food!

 Been hitting the sales and flea markets.  Seems with the cooler months, more and more come out to shop and sell.  I believe in the early bird.  Thankfully, I'm and early riser, so it works.   Last week, for the first time, I checked out craigslist.  Hit the next town over.  Some of my finds, just couldn't resist.  Some pieces need work, I have the time.   Everything below, came from one house.  Except for the desk to the right.

All for the $35.00.  She just wanted to clean out and I happen to be the first one.  So I did take most of the pieces.  I love the small chairs!  

Tomorrow night, Heidi is hosting "Friday Night Sew-In".  This will be my second one.  Have to say, it actually makes me want to work on some things.  Bought a new box of flavored tea. Cant wait to brew it tomorrow night and get to working on some things.  

TGIF tomorrow and have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Fall

Happy Friday!

Tonight is Friday Night Sew-In!  Hosted by Heidi  This will be the first time I will be joining in.  I figured with all the unfinished projects I have, this will maybe give me a kick to finish them.   I already have my machine set up with all the projects I need to work on.   Looking forward to a night of just sewing.

Have a good day!
 

Hello There!

Its been a bit since I've been on.  Lost the computer there for awhile.  Plus, between vacations, kids and work.  Really didn't have the time to get on here.  Even though I didn't get on...I did get some things done this summer.  Especially with my flea market finds.  The first project was this bench I found for $7.00.  I knew my husband would be able to do something with it and knowing it would look good in the garden.  Had to have it. A piece of metal is missing from the right side arm.

After a few hours of cleaning and cutting.  Puff!  Looks brand new.  I love it, dh did such a great job.

Looks great in the garden also.  My husband found a guy selling wood pieces at the market for $7.00 a plank.  Plus a can of paint for $4.00.  Not bad for $18.00.

I have a collection of door knobs.  Dont know what it is, I love door knobs.  Dh found some nice pieces of wood from his new wood friend at the market.  Made me a couple of these for some coat or hat racks.  They came out nice and they also look nice where I hung them.  Very easy and simple to make.  He coated the wood down with some wax and added the knobs.  Love it!  The wood pieces were a couple of bucks each.  I had the knobs for years.  So really didn't cost anything.

Since finding the wood guy, dh made many bird houses.  Lots, of bird houses.  They are all over the yard.  Some painted, some left with the natural wood.  I'm very lucky to have a husband who is creative and handy.  Dh has had a lot of time off, due to downsizing of his job.  Instead of not doing anything and sitting around,  he has been making some wonderful things and redoing things.  I never know what I'm coming home to.

Going to be taking in a couple of more sunsets for the summer.  The cooler air has been coming in.  A big change to what we've had.  I did have a wonderful summer, even though I worked alot. The kids are back at school.  Everyone is settling into their routine, its a good thing. 

Now, it's time for me to go hopping along to see what everyone else is up too.  I did miss visiting the blogs and seeing what creative things are going on. 

So good to be back on.  Now it's time to jump in!

Take care!

My Weekend Finds.....

My mom's town had a town wide garage sale this pass weekend.  I love town wide garage sales.  To have so many to go to in one day.  Love it!  We planned it right, started early and ended by noon.   Went for a nice lunch and was heading home by 1:30.  Still time to putter around at home. 

I loved everything I got and the deals, I think people were giving things away.

This set, you wouldn't believe what I got it for....$15!  It was a steal.

Just weather beaten from the sun mostly.  The frames are in great shape.  A new coat of paint

and some new cushions.  Beautiful!

 \

This I couldn't pass up.  It's functional, nice height and clean.  Brand new.  It's a piece from Ikea, which I love their stuff.  She never used it.....$5  I just have to figure out where to put it.

  

How can you pass this up?  I couldn't!  It was calling my name. I seen her from the time I parked my car.  Went right to her.....$3.  She's mine. 

I love pumpkins.  They light up and all three cost me $5.  The snowman, cute!  $5.  He has a level in the back that makes him taller.  Nice addition to my Christmas decor.  The window, $2, which I always wanted to paint on one.  And the tin square.  $5.  I liked it, don't know what I'm going to do with it.  But I like it.  Now the desk....the best find of the day.  Missing one knob, which is in the draw.   Great shape, like the color.....Free!   I was driving home and passed a sale with a sign that had free on it.  Couldn't believe nobody picked it up.  Maybe because it was so big.  Not a problem for me.  One way or another, it was fitting in my van. 

Now I have a couple of projects to work on.  It should keep me busy for a bit. One thing about the nice weather.  I love to work on things outside.  Just wish the days didn't go so fast.

Enjoy your week!

Back to life...

Hit Lowe's during the week and scored some spray paint on clearance.

$1.00 a can.  Don't know why it was marked down, wasn't going to ask.  Just grabbed and went.

Sorry I didn't get more, went back, it was all gone.

So figured, what better way to use the paint that I have.  Redo all my outside decorations.

Everything I had was either, faded, rusted or ready or the garbage.

Not no more!  Everything got a face lift.  There was color around, but not popping out at you.

Now it is.  The only thing left I have to do.  Is stain the arbor and fence.

After that, everything will go back into its place.  Cant wait to see what it looks like.



 Didn't think I had that much to paint.  But I do. 

I love redoing things that don't cost anything.

Enjoy your weekend.....

Happy Earth Day!

Tweet, Tweet

Another one for the birds.  These are plates that I found in the thrift store.  They are metal, must of paid $5 for both.  Didnt know what to do with them.   

Then finally, made them into bird feeders.

Happy the way they turned out.  The way the birds have been hitting them, I think they are too!

Have a good week!

For The Birds....

I have so many baskets that I dont know what to do with.  So sprayed some down to seal it better from the weather.  Maybe, just so it lasts a bit longer.  I put a plastic lid from a container in the bottom so the seed wouldnt fall out as much.  Hung it on a hook. Then just sat and watched.  The birds love it and I love looking at the birds. 

Enjoy your weekend!

Ta..Ta..Da...

 When I picked out the colors for my first quilt hanger.  Wasnt really sure if they would all go. 

 After walking around and around the store.  I would say it took a good hour or two to pick.  Kept going back and forth to the table and changing things up.

Now that its all together...

Love it!

Starting To Pop!

Happy Spring!

Rough couple of weeks.....

Haven't been able to stay on track with my points.  I really need to step up to the plate.  Summer will be here before you know it.  Instead of losing, I'm gaining.  I find it hard to stick to a plan.  And when I do, something throws a wrench into it.  It's my fault, I know I'm to blame.  Instead of looking at something and saying, "that's no good for me."  I attack it and think about it after the fact.  Really have to stick to the plan, I know it works.  Did it many times before.  Just this time, its harder.  Sometimes I just want to bang my head against the wall and say "WAKE UP!".  I have to do this for myself.  I know I would feel alot better.  Lately, I've just been in a rut.  Have to dig myself out.  Hoping this week will be different.   Just going to go one day at a time and make it positive for myself. 

Hope all is well with you, have a good week!

Ouch!

I hurt my back.  Don't know what I did.  Got up yesterday feeling uncomfortable.   During the day, achy.   When I got home last night, sat in the massage chair for a bit.  Today, I was stiff.  Hurt to sit at my desk.  I kept a package of gloves behind my back.  Found some hand warmers at work and used them too.   The heat helped some.  But, still no relief.  It's been a long week, maybe  some rest will do.

Have a pot of chicken soup cooking.  Cut all my vegetables this morning.  So, easy do tonight.  I went up this week with my ww.  With all the crap I had, I knew it.  Just wasn't prepared for it.  I promised myself, this week coming and for now on.  I will do better.  Really want to treat myself to some new clothes this summer.

Off I go.  Happy Friday, hope all is well with everyone. 
Have a good weekend!
 

Snow Day!

Weekend Cooking

Since it was Superbowl Weekend.  Does that give you a pass to eat what you want?  Well, honestly, my points went out the window.   I just had some craving for different things and figured, why not.  First on the list, Chicken Ranch Dip.  Yum....especially with chips and I threw in some guacamole.

 Then came the pretty bag of peppers that I couldn't pass up that was on sale for $1.00.  I slit them down them middle.  Stuffed some with goat cheese and some with an herb spread.  Put them in the oven for a bit. Another....Yum!  Going to try these on the grill next time.

Then came some Kielbasa and Kraut.  I cooked it at a simmer for a couple of hours.  Made it with cabbage, bacon, onions and one can of kraut.  Got the ring from the butcher by my moms.  MMMM....I love it with brown mustard.

While I was at Costco.  I picked up one of those huge beef briskets.  Since one son wanted to try it.  Why not?  What I did was.  Made a paste from one package of brown gravy, a package of onion soup and some water to moisten.  Added some garlic cloves also.  Sealed it in a foil package.   Cooked that around 5 hours.  Served with mashed potatoes.  I thought I was in heaven.   Do you see those points out the window yet?

Well it didn't stop there.  Was going through the books and made Paula Deen's stew.  Yum! Yum!  Thank you Paula.  Love the recipe, easy.  Love the stew.  Its a keeper. 

Then to top it off, I made beef sticks.  The beef was soaking in a mixture of soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger.  Let it sit overnight.  They were good.  You can tell, didn't last long for a picture.

Now I have enough leftovers for the week.  Just have to spread out my points!  I weigh in tomorrow.  If I stay the same, I'll be excited.  But I know I'm wishing for a miracle here. 

Take care!

Monday, Monday....

Start of a new week.  I don't know why it seems the weekend goes so fast.  Just two days off, doesn't seem fair.  I would like a 3 day weekend.  I think with 3 days, you would be able to get more done.  For me, by the time Sunday comes around.  I'm already thinking, where did Saturday go.  The days lately seem to be flying by.  I guess in a way its good.  Means, Spring is just around the corner.  Groundhogs Day is almost here.  Will it be 6 more weeks of winter?   Tomorrows weather is suppose to be up to 60 degree's.  Crazy.  But it works!  I can get some more laundry out to hang.  I just wish I was home to enjoy it.

Off I go to clip my coupons and get my shopping lists ready for the week.  Enjoy your week!

Wondering...

What it would be like to come home to a spotless house.  Wondering... what it would be like to come home to no dishes in the sink.  Wondering... what it would be like to come home to no lights on in the house, instead of all of them on.  Wondering.... what it would be like to come home and not have to take the dogs out.  Wondering.... if anybody is going to hang up the towels in the bathroom, instead of just dropping them.   So much wondering, when will it happen???  I could tell the boys, keep the dishes out of the sink.  Just open the dishwasher and put them in.  Still, I come home to a sink full of dishes.  Everything is done when I leave in the morning.  Thinking, today will be the day.  I come through the door.   Today was not that day.  I think I need to go a different approach.  If you know of one, please share.     Right now, going to open myself a light beer and forget about all this wondering.

Take Care!

Monday, Monday....

A rainy Monday it was, washed away all the snow that fell over the weekend.   A bit warmer, so no need to worry about any ice.  The weather has been crazy here.  One day fifty degrees, the next in the single digits.  Cant say we really are having a winter.  Just doesn't feel like winter.  I seen someplace that it was less then sixty days till Spring.  That too, has also seem to be taken away by going right into the hot weather.  What is going on with these Seasons???  

Tonight was weigh in at WW.  Not a happy camper.   Need to stick to a plan.  No more snacking, especially at night.  Healthy or not, I just seem to eat more at night.  Why is that?  During the day, I could go without.  At night, there is no stopping me.  Well tonight will be the night I start.  No more snacking at night for me.  Wish me luck! 

Take Care!


  

Brrrrr.....

That's all I could say about today.  We had some snow overnight that turned into freezing rain.   Made a trip to the store during the day.  As I was pulling out of my driveway.  The plows were coming by.   Followed them all the way to the store.  Picked up some fixins' for chicken soup.   I love soup on a cold day.   With some crusty French bread.    MMMM!  Honestly,  I really don't need the bread.  It just makes it so much better.

Hope all is well and your staying warm!

Happy New Year!

Where does the time go??  It's been a bit since I've been on here.  Things happen, changes occur.  I guess you just go with the punches when they come.  Eventually the cloud passes.  I'm just hoping for a better year all around.  Take it day to day, not worry about tomorrow or next week.  Live the moment...is that how that saying goes?  Going to try like hell this year.  I have alot to be thankful for.  Have a wonderful family that I just love.  This year is going to be a good year.  

Wishing you and your family a Happy and Healthy New Year!