Road Trip and Random Things

This weekend we headed to North Georgia a 50th Wedding Anniversary Party. What a wonderful testimony, a life of 50 wonderful years together.

We had a wonderful time visiting with relatives that we don't get to see very often. They did a beautiful job of putting the reception together, a time that truly honored this sweet couple.

now imagine putting this girl,

this girl, and one little fellow together, and know what you have? Lots of activity non-stop until they get used to each other. I could not get a picture of the other little fellow because he couldn't be still long enough and I gave up. Stella, Chloe and Bailey all miniature schnauzers, and two of them are still puppies. My girl Stella has almost perfected the art of ignoring them both.

On to more random things. This picture is for Victoria.

This is a Vinca vine that is planted outside our side door, and is a great ground cover. Even better than ivy.

Last week when Susie did her post on drying hydrangeas, mine were perfectly ready, at least the few that I had, so I ran out and cut them to put in the bedroom that I have been working on. As Victoria put it, my yard thrift of the week. It was something I love, and didn't cost me a thing!How much more thrifty than that can you get? For more amazing thrifty finds check it out here.Have a wonderful week! Jackie

Instant Aging for Clothing

I am sharing a combination of things in today's post. Today is DIY day over at ASPTL, so I will be sharing how you can instantly age clothing, or any fabric . If it is new fabric you will first want to wash it. I have several old toddler dresses hanging

in my laundry room, and thought this little dress would make a great addition. The only problem is that it was very crisp and white, and I wanted it to look old and aged like the other little dresses. So here is what I did.

First I cut all of the store tags out.


Next I put it into a measuring cup filled with some coffee and a little salt. I once read that salt will set the coffee color.

Then you put it out to dry in the south Georgia sun,

and you will end up with this.


The old quilt was my thrift store purchase for today. I wanted an old quilt to put in my swing, that I would not worry about messing up. It is pretty worn and tattered, and I need to make some repairs but as I have said before, I often purchase nostalgia, not perfection.


Love the fabric on these two
squares.

This is the back.

You can go here to check out Thrifty Thursday. Have a wonderful evening.
Jackie

Dawn's 500th Post

Go here to check out Dawn's 500th post giveaway! She is super creative, kind, always thinking of others She gives of herself in so many ways. She is one of the first blog sights that I added to my favorites. More than anything she is real. You will know this from reading her posts. Give her a visit, and see what I mean. Jackie

I've been cooking, and sewing and..........

It's Today's Thrifty Treasures over at Southern Hospitality , but we haven't had much in the way of yard sales or thrift store treasures this week. Here's just two little things, and a few pictures of what I have been up to today.

This little burp cloth for .19, I purchased it mainly as a pattern.

Picked up this old bowl for 1.00 a couple of weeks ago. Looks very old and I love it!

Now you will see what I have been up to, today. I will be visiting my son tomorrow, and I like to take a home cooked meal, as well as leave something for my sweet husband who will be working,

I cooked 3chickens, known as beer butt chicken, but we used lemon lime soda. The taste is the same, you just need something fizzy.

some steamed cabbage and stewed squash,

a big pot of roast, carrots and potatoes, and I will probably add some good ole mac & cheese tonight.

Then I have been doing some of this, making a long awaited dust ruffle for my daughter. I just wish I was a better seamstress, and this would be a little easier. Hopefully I will finish this up tonight also. Hope you all have a wonderful week, I will be away until Thursday. Jackie

DIY Chalkboard Tray Makeover

It is DIY day again over at ASPTL, and Transformation Thursday at Shabby Chic Cottage so here is a little chalboard tray for you to try out. I purchased this old silver tray from a yard sale several weeks ago. It had several rust spots which made it perfect for my chalkboard. I cleaned it, taped off the edges with painters tape, then used and exacto knife to cut out the scalloped border. I used spray chalboard paint, and did about 3 coats. You have to be careful when spraying so your paint doesn't run.

Here is what I ended up with. Perfect for my kitchen counter to post a bible verse for the week, uplifting reminders, or menu plans and whatever. This is so easy so give it a try.

Now head on over to Kimba's and Shabby Chic Cottage for more fun DIY projects and inspiration.

Jackie

Delicious Blueberry Recipes

Today I am joining Tasty Tuesday and offering some recipes that we have enjoyed for years. My sister gave this recipe to me and I have definitely used this recipe often. I would compare it to a blueberry coffee cake.

Huckle Buckle Blueberry

1/4 C Soft Butter/Margarine 1/2 C milk

1 C Sugar divided 1 Tsp Vanilla

1 Egg 2 1/2 C Blueberries

1 2/3 C All Purpose Flour Divided 1/2 Tsp Ground Cinnamon

1 Tsp Baking Powder 1/4 C Butter/ Margarine

1/4 Tsp Salt

Cream butter; gradually add 1/2 c. sugar, beating well. Add egg; beat. Combine 1 1/3 C Flour, baking powder and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Pour batter into a greased 8 inch pan. Top w/ blueberries. Combine remaining 1/2 c sugar, remaining 1/3 C flour and cinnamon. Cut 1/4 butter into cinnamon mixture until mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle over berries. Bake 375 degrees 45-50 minutes. Serves 6

Blueberry Bread Downtown Savannah Style

2 C Sifted Flour 2 Eggs

1 Tbs Baking Powder 3/4 C Milk

1/2 tsp Salt 1 C Blueberries

1/2 C Soft Butter 2 Tbs Light Brown Sugar

1/2 C Sugar 1/2 Tsp Cinnamon

• Sift flour, baking powder & salt together
• Beat butter, sugar, eggs in bowl until light & fluffy
• Add dry ingredients alt w/milk-beat @ low speed after each addition until blended.
• Fold in blueberries
• Spoon into greased 8x8 inch pan
• Sprinkle with the brown sugar and cinnamon
• Bake @ 375 for 35 minutes

Hope you enjoy! Jackie

DIY

I just returned home from visiting my daughter, and almost forgot that Thursday is DIY day over at ASPTL. I had told my daughter before our visit, to choose one project that I could help her with while we were there, so here it is!

BEFORE

I snapped the before pic, before we forgot, and the after pic on the way out the door this AM so it is a little blurry. She and her husband were given this table and chairs when they helped clean out a house. Since they had no dining room table or chairs, it was the perfect project for an economical solution.

I found the fabric for $6.00 a yard and they threw in a yard that had been precut w/ a slight water stain on the bottom, that was not even noticeable. We were not even sure that we had enough fabric, especially since we wanted to try to have the pattern match somewhat on the seats. Amazingly enough, the match ended up being almost the depth of the seat, so we had no waste when it came to matching.

We chose not to use spray paint because there were 6 chairs and that would have ended up costing way too much. We worked and sweated, and worked and sweated, but she is loving the end results. She still has to put a clear coat on the table top, and a few touch ups, but the project is almost complete, and will be a great addition to their dining room.

Next time I visit, hopefully I will have pictures of the complete set. It was hard work, but well worth it, and a fun time together. Jackie

A Rescued Find

Late sharing with others over at Rhodas thrifty finds for Monday, but I thought I had better share this before it leaves to find its new home with my daughter. You ask why it is a rescued find? Well my friend K was having a yard sale, and this did not sell , so she was going to take it to the Goodwill. It belonged to her mother and I simply couldn't let that happen. She sold it to me for $30.00.

Then she threw in this little table, a small lamp, picture frame, and some other odds and ends.
See I had already purchased the bed and dresser that you saw in my bedroom re-do. The mattress went to my daughters also, so it all was definitely a good buy. We will be headed to Florida tomorrow to visit my daughter, and taking the chair with us.

It's A Flag Project for the 4th !

Stella and I hope everyone has had an absolutely wonderful 4th!

My sweet husband is on night shift tonight, but took time out to help me finish this little project. I had seen Jen's flag here, and she was so kind to send me the dimensions last year. I was determined that even if this was my entertainment for today I would complete it, today, and here it is!

And yes, I know the stars are not completely straight. Being a little obsessive it bothered me for a little while, but I am happy with my completed project. And yes, I did get all 50 stars on there!

It is made out of yardsticks, and one square of wood for the stars. I was planning on distressing it with some stain, but when I used the sander, that was all it needed. I used a red primer on the yardsticks which gave it the distressed look that I was going for. Now I have a wonderful piece of decor for the 4th, or Memorial Day. I will probably leave mine up through August, so I can continue to enjoy it. Again hope you had a safe and Happy 4th!

Jackie

Suitcase Side Table

Remember the bedroom that I am working on? Slowly but surely it is coming together. I am wanting it to be a little bit out of the ordinary, so here is what I used for the table next to the bed. This is a set of old suitcases that a friend was getting rid of. They are wonderful because they serve a dual purpose. One holds trims, ribbon, fringe etc. The next is filled with scrap booking paper, stamps, and scissors, and the large bottom one is filled with an assortment of fabric.

When we started out they looked sort of like a leaning tower. I knew my smart husband would be able to come up with the remedy.

So, here is what he came up with............................

He cut some small pieces of wood at an angle to level the stack,

So they would look like this!

This is a king size duvet cover that I bought on sale a few months ago, thinking it would work with what I am would like to do in the room. I will be leaving the trim and buttons as they are to make the window treatment, and probably a pillow or two for the bed. I am thinking a simple valance with a sheered curtain covering half of the window if that make sense to you. I would love to hear what you would do with this fabric for a window treatment.

I am participating in Holly's last Thrift Store Thursday, so go on over and check out the other thrifty finds. Jackie

Trying to Suppress the HOUSE Love!

Today I am trying to occupy myself with some needed cleaning and fun projects so I can quit thinking about...

...this

My friend The realtor has already called to see if we were really interested. It is probably going to be gone by the end of the day (my guess). I am trying to be realistic here, and be a Big Girl and not let my wants hurt me.

My husband did not totally squash the idea, but there are pros and cons both ways. We really like where we are, however it is not the dream cottage, but God has provided a wonderful home that is paid for. We live very close to where I have been subbing in a good neighborhood, where I actually have someone a walk away that takes care of Stella when I have to be gone.

However, it is not the Cottage neighborhood.

OK enough of that. If God wants us to have it, he will show us. Both of us, not just me!

In continued effort not to think about the COTTAGE, Sheree is having another great

Giveaway!

Winning this could probably help with the Cottage thing! Check it out here.
Have a wonderful week!

Jackie

House Love!

Have you ever dreamed of what you think would be your perfect house? Many of you would think that I am crazy, but I have always dreamed of an old house with cottage charm a big porch and qualities that give it a lot of charm. Well yesterday I found my potential candidate and here it is!

My huge wrap around porch. Tin shingles. Small cottage front yard.

The swing is already there, and it works!


A little of what you see in the living room. It is very large.

Check out these dining room windows!

Dining room fireplace. This room is very large too.

A glimpse at the kitchen, with a feeble attempt at remodeling.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, the price is right!

Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of repairs that would need to be made, but this place could be absolutely charming. My battery went dead or I would have taken more pictures. I might also add that it is in a very small little town, with lots of houses that look even more charming than this, and the yard backs up to a friend of mine that was once my neighbor. To be exact, the one I took the gift to yesterday. You would also be getting the best neighbor in the world! It is oh so tempting! I wish I had never gone to look at it . It could be a dream, but I have to remember it could also be a nightmare! What do you all think, other than that I am crazy?

Have an absolutely wonderful Saturday!

Jackie

Gift Wrap 102

As I put this together I thought you all might enjoy this little how to. First of all it started with trying to figure out what to give a good friend who is one of the most excellent gift givers I have ever known. She strives to give a unique and thoughtful gift every time. In trying to decide what to get, I started thinking of things that I love to get. One thing I love to get, is plants. I love to get things that I can plant in my yard that come back year after year. That is definitely a gift that keeps on giving. I went to the plant nursery and picked out a Bottle Brush Tree, but it had no blooms yet, so it needed a little dressing up instead of the plain black plastic container that it came in, so here is what I did. Everything I used I already had on hand.

First I put plastic grocery bags around pot because it was a little damp.

Then I took a piece of blue check wrapping paper just the right size.

Cut the edges with a scallop pair of craft scissors.

Next I gathered the paper around the pot and secured with clothespins.

To hold the paper in place I put a rubber band around the wrapping paper.

The only thing I could find for ribbon to match was raffia. So I made a raffia bow.

Added this little tag so she would know what it was.

Popped in a little "American" flag.

And there you have it!

I delivered it and she loved it. Happy Birthday to my friend Millie. What are some of your creative gift giving ideas. I would love to hear from you.

Have a wonderful weekend! Jackie