One Project Down. . . One to Go

The stools in the Junior High Youth Room are complete, as you saw from my earlier post. Next, we are changing out the Yee-Haw knotty pine paneled counter. Yesterday, my wonderful friends, Kathy & Lori, helped me sand (vacuum & then wipe down) the counter. We caulked the knots and gaps and primed the counter. It will end up being painted a Pottery Barn Espresso Brown when the final paint is added. This is just the lightly tinted brown primer. The finished product will be much, much darker, followed by 2-3 coats of Poly-acrylic for protection.

We all agree it looks better now with just the primer added than it did to begin with. Much, much more contemporary to match the current decor of the room. The kids who have stopped in to see the chairs and counter are thrilled with the changes!!

We think it will look marvelous when completed!

Happy Halloween!!

Blessings. . . until next time,

Another. . . Taaaaa-Daaaaa!

Well, here they are. . . the finished counter stools for the Junior High Youth Room!! What cha think?

I think they turned out pretty darn nice. . . in my humble opinion. Not bad for $22 in paint from Lowes and $13 worth of Walmart fabric to recover the chairs. Not to mention the savings to the church youth budget!! We are being good stewards with the Lord's money by updating what we already have instead of replacing it!

Thanks to my two sweet and wonderful friends, Kathy and Lori for their help!

In case you don't remember what the stools looked like to begin with, here's the picture:

I'm telling you, that Rust-Oleum, brush on - Hammered Metal paint is so awesome!!

. . . now, onward to that Yee-Haw counter for some sanding, priming and painting!!

Blessings. . . until next time,

Harvest Blessings!

God's Blessings on your Fall Harvest!!

Puppy Love!

I just got our little doggy back from the groomers. Isn't he too cute? This is Winston Churchill. Winston is a Yorkshire Terrier. We had a Yorkie when we first married over 26 years ago. I love the breed, it's my favorite. It's like always having a puppy - they are so small.

Winston is 3 years old and has wormed his way into my heart. 3 years ago, I did not want a pet. Not because I don't love animals. I do. But, my plate was already full and I knew even though I was told "Mom, I'll take care of the dog!," it wouldn't happen, it would fall on me. So, my daughters caught me in a weak moment and I said "OK!"

Of course, I potty trained Winston, walk him, feed him, water him, brush him, let him out to go potty, take him to the vet, give him his bath, etc., etc. I do laugh when our youngest says, "Mom, you didn't even want a dog and Winston loves you the best. He follows you around and can't have you out of his sight!" Yes, he does. . . go figure. (. . . and I love him with all my heart too.)

Blessings. . . until next time,

A Little Moving Sale Visit

Garage/Yard Sale season is about over here in Michigan. I did happen to find one today on my way to the grocery store. . . so, of course, I stopped. It was an older couple having a sale. They were in the process of moving (and fighting). The woman wanted to have a moving sale, the husband didn't want to be bothered. Some items were priced, some not. Things that I thought should have been cheap had a big price tag on, things that were worth more were priced cheaply. The husband grumbled when asked for his help by the wife. Seeing marriages and relationships like this only make me treasure my wonderful husband. I am blessed! We are very supportive of each other's ideas, even if we don't necessarily agree with them : ) .

Anyways, this little item was not priced. I asked the price and was told 50 cents. It's a vintage, but never been used, 24% Lead Crystal Anna Hutte Bleikristall, made in Germany, powder holder. It has a powder puff, screen with a silver plated lid (or maybe it's Sterling, it doesn't say). On the backside of the top is a mirror and it says weighted and reinforced. It's probably not worth too much, but I certainly think it's adorable and worth 2 quarters!! Besides, it reminds me of my Grams!! Grams would keep her face powder and bath powder in things like this. . . . Remember bath powder? I don't see it anymore. Every year for Christmas that was my gift from my grandparents. . . a new flannel night gown and bath powder (or dusting powder some would call it). . .Man, did I make a mess with the powder in my mom's bathroom! Grams always powdered after her bath. But then these days, who has time for baths? Quick shower, get out and go!! Sigh. I think tonight, I'll take a bath.

Blessings. . . until next time (hopefully, I'll have a post of the finished chairs soon - they are done, but I was in a rush to get out of church last night and get our youngest home, so I forgot to take a picture!),

Yes, the Answer was "YES" Go Ahead

The church office gave me the clear "OK" last night to go ahead and paint that Yee-Haw Knotty Pine counter. It will be painted soon to an "Expresso Brown." We are striving for that Pottery Barn look. Sigh. Don't cha think it will look wonderful?

Blessings. . . until next time,

Tuesday - - Pieces of "The Project"

Well the project I have volunteered for is repainting all the counter chairs (8 in total) in the Junior High Youth Room at church and recovering the fabric. These chairs were originally slated for the trash! Being the frugal, conservative with the $$ kind of person that I am, I offered to repaint them. It would only cost about $22 in paint, as opposed to probably near $100 per new counter chair. That's about $800. Oooouuuuucccccchhhhhhh!!! Not for kids, junior high kids! Also, I wanted to paint that Yee-Haw knotty pine counter you see. The room prior to being redone (No, I didn't repaint the room. The design committee that did - did an awesome job, however. The kids just love it!) and painted was a western theme. So, the knotty pine counter worked well then, but it just sticks out like a sore thumb now that it's much more contemporary.

. . . But there is a little glitch. . . the church office is now having reservations about painting that Yee-Haw wood. They know once we paint it, it's forever. I reassured them I have done projects like this before and have e-mailed pictures to them for their review. Of course, we will polycoat it with a few coats for protection, but the ultimate decision is not up to me. So, I'm on "hold" with that part of the project.

My two dear friends, Kathy and Lori showed up at church Monday morning to help me paint those counter stools. We used the same Hammered Metal paint I have used on prior projects (Powder Room - prior post) and they look marvelous!! We were able to remove all the cushions, wipe down the chairs, cover the plastic feet, paint all the chairs with two coats of paint . . . and fellowship along the way. The time flew by painting and sharing with these two dear friends of mine. What would we all do without our "girlfriends" ladies? I just don't know what I would do!

. . . tomorrow, I'll try to post an "in process - project picture!"

By the way, pretty nice Jr. High Youth Room don't cha think? We never had such cool rooms when I was growing up. I sure wish we had though! There is a pool table, ping pong table, fooze ball, DDR, microwave, refrigerator, ceiling mounted projector, etc., etc. I'll show pictures of the entire room when our "project" is completed.

Blessings. . . until next time,

. . . What A Nut

Monday mornings. My favorite time, as I have shared before. Rest, recover and regroup.

We had a busy weekend around here; Friday night we had company over for dinner (they are moving on Tuesday to sunny California - hey - they should have taken us to dinner ha-ha) - So Friday was cleaning house, shopping for the steaks, potatoes, then baking dessert, etc., for Friday night. Saturday we took down some outdoor yard things. . . like my gazebo canopy in our backyard (put up for winter - so - so - sad), our outdoor lawn decor. . . rabbits, little statues, things like that. Then off to a friend's newly opened business for his official Open House. Then lastly we had a special meeting at church in the evening to meet and ask questions of one of the candidates for new senior pastor. Sunday was church and it was our designated week to be greeters, then HOME. Are your weekends like that? Filled? Every hour spoken for?

. . . and hey, I didn't even mentioning running our 13 year around each day to stores, friends, activities, in between all mine and hub's household duties. I've told her to "hire" herself a driver. I just can't keep up with her anymore. : )

Later today I'm starting a "big" trash to treasure project at church. (I hope it's not so big that I wish I hadn't volunteered! My hubs said I must be nuts to take on this project. But he's supportive of it and I'm excited about it. And I felt led to do it.) I'll share more and pictures of it with you tomorrow.

Blessings. . . until next time,

Sweetest Day - - Surprise

Well, was I ever surprised to find out that Sweetest Day is not celebrated nationally. It's mainly celebrated in the Great Lakes area. I was receiving comments and e-mails asking exactly what is Sweetest Day. So, for all of you curious, non-Great-Lakers, here's a link which describes Sweetest Day and its origins.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweetest_Day

It's basically like a mini-Valentine's Day. . .created by FTD (flowers), Hallmark (cards) and candy-makers.

Blessings. . . until next time,

Sigh. . . Sweetest Day - Don't Forget!

Don't forget tomorrow is Sweetest Day. I forgot. Today my oldest told me that her sweetie is taking her out to dinner tonight because they have a wedding to attend tomorrow night. . . So they can't go out and celebrate. . . alone. Sigh, remember those days?

When I informed Hubs that our oldest would not be joining us for dinner tonight, and why, he responded "Oh no, tomorrow's Sweetest Day?" "Yeah, but let's just go out for coffee or something, OK?" was my response. "We're not doing anything big, OK?" We just had 3 family birthday celebrations this month. Our oldest, my father-in-law and mine. Enough gifts, enough spent. . . thank you very much.

We may be older, and our Sweetest Day and Valentine's celebration are not as elaborate, but I'm still madly in love with the Sweetie that I married over 26 years ago. Thank You Lord for binding us together so many years ago. You, Lord, certainly knew who was the perfect mate for this child of yours.

It's certainly "sweeter" as the years go by. . .

Blessings. . . until next time,

Thursday. . . Dishing Out Some Dirt

Well, it may not look like much right now. . . but just you wait and see!! Come Spring, I'm hoping to have the most beautiful display of hyacinths you have ever seen!! Sunday, after church, I had planned to plant my fall bulbs. . . but our plans changed and it didn't work out for me to plant that day. So I planted them yesterday instead.

Hyacinths are one of the most beautiful and fragrant spring bulbs (my opinion). I planted 80 bulbs in white and a variety of purple. Costco has pretty good prices on these if you are interested. I purchased some (Daffodils and Crocus) from Costco last year for the back yard and they came up beautifully this past Spring.

After the cold, dreary gray of winter, and dumping of snow, we'll all be looking forward to our spring flowers peeking out their little heads. I know, I know, who's thinking spring? We're still into Fall! But hey, one must plan ahead sometimes. . . things don't "just happen" sometimes we have to make "them happen!"

Blessings. . . until next time,

Wednesday's Wonderings. . . .

A few days ago I had the dreaded by all women, annual check-up. No one likes going, but we must to stay healthy. After the medical assistant brought me back to the examining room she asked me to have a seat on the examining table. She then proceeded to have her back to me the entire time while asking me questions and entering my answers into the computer. I understand computers expedite things, but it just seems so cold and uncaring to not have that personal eye contact. Do any of you feel like that? I think someone should at the least design a work station table where the medical assistants can access behind the table. . . and face the patients while they input information into their computer system. It just seems so rude to have to talk to someone's back the whole time you're being questioned. Perhaps I'm just old, but I was always taught it's rude to turn your back to someone. Besides, I had a hard time hearing what she was even asking me! I guess the medical field has even lost that human touch and now has become automated as well. Probably soon, we won't even need the medical assistants. A voice activated computer will just ask us the questions and input our voice activated answers! A machine could take our blood pressure and temperature just as easily too. . . . Hmmm, I wonder. . . ?

Anyways, just wondering if anyone else feels like that?

I will say, that my doctor is wonderful, however. She makes wonderful eye contact, never, ever rushes me and makes me feel like I am her most important patient. . . and she never once, turned her back to me. : )

Blessings. . . until next time,

. . . Tuesday's Thoughts

Well, it's Tuesday. I overslept, woke up with a terrible sinus headache, didn't even send my youngest off with a proper sending (hug and "have a great day sweetie").

Oh well, time to recover. I made a pot of coffee, had a few cups while getting ready. . . went to the Jr. High School to drop off my youngest's forgotten lunch, went into church to volunteer for a few hours and stopped at Wal-mart on my way home to pick up a few necessities.

Then I made dinner and felt like baking some cupcakes with a new recipe (which follows). No, I'm not a cake decorator type person at all. Simple. Simple. Bake, frost, done. I don't get out all those little decorating tips and bags. Never had a desire to get that creative, or had the time, with something that doesn't last too long around my house.

. . . but I did make enough to share. I sent some home with a friend who dropped off my youngest from an outing tonight. It's always nice to share : ) (or Sher)

Cupcakes
24 paper liners
1 butter recipe golden cake mix, or yellow
1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pan with liners. Mix above ingredients, beat until well mixed. Pour into liners. Bake for 24-26 minutes, or until golden and toothpick comes out clean, or springs back after touching. Cool.

Chocolate Syrup Frosting
1 stick butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup chocolate syrup
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted*
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix butter, cocoa and chocolate syrup in large mixing bowl. Mix with an electric mixer until combined. Add powdered sugar, milk and vanilla. Mix until nice and fluffy. Frost cupcakes.

*Sifted to reduce lumps (I place in a bowl and whisk for sifting)

Decorate with sprinkles or colored sugar. . . and share (or Sher)!

Now, off to hide those cupcakes. My motto? "Outta sight, outta mind, or in my mouth and on my behind!"

Blessings. . . until next time,

Monday . . . Monday

Aaahhh. . . I think I am probably one of the few people who enjoy Mondays. It's nice to have my "family" weekends, but I also enjoy when everyone in the household is back to their schedule. . . school. . . work. . . whatever. Weekends around here have been s-o-o-o-o-o hectic lately . . . filled with commitments and activities; church, company, household maintenance, family stuff, birthday celebrations, blah, blah, blah.

So, it's Monday and I'm off to do laundry in my nice quiet household. After all, Monday is Laundry Day, or at least that's what Grams always said.

Blessings. . . until next time,

. . . "To Everything There Is A Season."

Today, I put my flower garden to rest. . . I cut down the perennials and pulled out the annuals. After about 3 hours of cutting, pruning, transplanting, raking and digging - I'm getting into a hot bath. I'm planning on soaking until I turn into a prune.

. . . Tomorrow, after church, I have some new bulbs to plant for spring. THEN I will be finished outside - - at least here. In a few weeks I will go to the cottage. . . and. . . do it. . . all. . . over. . . again!

Excuse me please, I have a date with "Mr. Bubbles." : )

Blessings. . . until next time,

Slower Cooker. . .

Fall. Cooler weather. . . shorter days. . . fire in the fireplace. . . spiced cider. . . ALL THOSE KID'S ACTIVITIES WE RUN AROUND DOING!!!

Do you use a crock pot? I do. I love mine. I use it all year round actually, but especially in the fall when the running around with the activities starts. It's nice to set it and go. Here's a recipe I just found and can't wait to try. My kind of recipe. E-A-S-Y Peasy!!

German Potato Soup

1 pound cooked smoked sausage, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch slices

1/2 of a 28-ounce package frozen loose-pack diced hash brown potatoes with onion and peppers (about 4 cups)

1 16-ounce jar sauerkraut, rinsed and drained

2 tablespoons stone ground mustard

3 14-ounce cans chicken broth (5-1/4 cups)

In a 4- to 5-1/2-quart slow cooker place sausage, frozen potatoes, sauerkraut, and mustard. Pour broth over all.

Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 7 to 9 hours or on high-heat setting for 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 hours.

Makes 6 to 8 main-dish servings (about 9-2/3 cups).

Here's the link to sign up for slow cooker recipes delivered daily to your e-mail account. http://slow-cooker-recipes.blogspot.com/

Soup is great in the fall. Served with a tossed salad and a roll or homemade bread . . . ummm, doesn't get much better than that (unless, of course, someone else is doing the cooking!!) .

Blessings. . . until next time,

Taaaaa-Daaaaaa - It's DONE!!

Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, my present to myself . . . It's done!! My secretary has been lovingly repainted to fit my decor. I painted my piece in Satin Black. It's perfect for my room and for this corner of my room. I finally have it finished and couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I've taken pictures for you to see it both open and closed. I will be leaving it open, since I think the inside cubbies, drawers and little cupboard are a "work of art." . . . And also a pain in the neck to paint so I'll want to see the fruits of my labor!

I do have one additional item to add to my secretary. . . a small lamp for on the shelf. I have the "perfect" lamp (garage sale find), I just need to rewire it. I don't want to drill a hole large enough to accommodate the electrical plug. I'm thinking I'll either take it apart, or see if The Home Depot or Lowes have a new snap on plug (that would work well too). . . then I'll just need to drill a small hole to accommodate the cord, reattach the plug and we're in business.

Do you like it? I hope so. I love it! . . . or as my 13 would say, "I heart it!"


Blessings. . . until next time,

Edited to show the secretary before I painted it.

Happy Birthday and a Temporary Change to Blog

Friday night we had a "small" birthday gathering for our oldest daughter. She's turning 20 today, Sunday, the 7th. Both sets of grandparents came over as well as my daughter's boyfriend and his parents. I'm so glad everyone was able to come help us celebrate! Both my daughter and I love the fall, so we were so looking forward to an indoor tailgate party. We planned to serve "hot" mulled cider, chili, grilled sausage and hot dogs and watching the game on hub's big screen TV in the basement "man-cave." However, it was 87 degrees here in Michigan!! It was more like a summer heat-wave than a fall tailgate party. I had the A/C on and we went ahead with the gathering, minus the hot cider. We drank the cider it ice cold instead.

This has been a year of big birthdays in our house. My hubby turned 50, our oldest turned 20 and our youngest turned 13. One daughter went into the teen years while the other left them and my hubs is now eligible for the AARP!!

. . . then speaking of birthdays, I have one myself on Monday. Aaaaauuuuuugggggggghhhhhh!! Since my husband travels, we celebrated Saturday night. He took me to a great restaurant that I have been wanting to go to. Afterwards, we walked around downtown and had the best time. Just together. No kids. Wonderful. Aaaaaahhhhhhh.

I also want to mention that I have deleted, temporarily, the Bible Snippets of the day. I'm looking for one in the NIV, not the KJV. Just a preference of mine. I find it easier to understand.

By the way, I am younger than my hubby. I'm not turning 50 (and won't be for a few years.) . . . just wanted to get that straight : )

Blessings. . . until next time!

Another. . . "Waiting for the Paint to Dry" Project

As you know, I've been working on my "secretary project" for a bit now. After I apply a coat of paint - I have some time to kill. So, I started thinking about the accessories in our Powder Room. . . Those brass accessories. . . kind of out-dated now. But it's really hard to justify adding to a landfill when they were still perfectly usable. So, since I was in the "painting mode" . . . I started thinking. And when I start thinking. . . I get creative (and cheap). So, I painted them all! I purchased a can (not the spray can, a can can - picture above) of Rust-oleum Hammered Metal paint in Brown, purchased from Lowes. Home Depot only has the spray can, not the liquid in the can. Lowes has both. I used those throw-away sponge applicators to apply the paint. It's a funny paint. You must apply the second coat within 30 minutes, or you have to wait until the first coat dries for 4 hours. If you don't reapply in 4 hours, you have to wait 7 days! I'm not kidding, read the can for yourself! It's a chemical reaction that occurs to give this finish the hammered metal look - so that's why the timing is so critical. For me, it was worth watching the clock to time reapplication correctly. . . because I love the look of the finished product.

I painted the soap dispenser, wall soap dish, towel rack, a floor vase, the shelves over the toilet, tissue holder, clock and the guest towel holder. Oh, yes, I even painted the little birdhouse, which hangs off the shelves.

I wish I would have thought to take a before picture of all the accessories, but I didn't. I'm still relatively new to this whole blogging stuff, so I'll try to be more considerate of you all next time and take before pictures prior to starting a project! I did manage to take one of the light fixture (not brass, but needed updating) Maybe that helps. And you all know what bright brass finish looks like anyways. Well, that's exactly what they were.




I think $11 for a can of paint. . . a few hours of my time. . . is not bad for the achieved look. What do you think?

Blessings. . . until next time,

P.S. I probably won't have time to post tomorrow. I'm having a little gathering for our oldest who is turning 20. This has been a big year for us. Our youngest went into her teen years - 13 - and our oldest is leaving the teen years - 20!