Road Kill Rescue?

A little late to the party, but better late than never. Today Becky is having a Roadkill Rescue Party! And, NO, that would not be possums, racoons, armadillos and such. It would be the furniture, fun project, kind.

What a name huh?

My first item is this desk, that we did actually rescue from a pile of trash. I wish I had a before picture, but this was completed long before blogs came along. My husband reminded me that he had to glue some of the drawers back together. The top had extensive writing and scribbling, not to mention that it was plain dirty! We cleaned, sanded, glued, and painted. Now it sits in my son's bedroom and has been a great desk.

Next is this headboard that my husband made from an old door that came from his grandmothers house. He just added some details with molding that we had on hand, painted it to match the desk and attached it to the wall.

So there you have it, my rescues. We have plenty of old doors that are just waiting for a project. Now, head on over to Becky's and check out all of those other Roadkill Rescues.

Have a blessed week!

Jackie

Multiplication--Budget Gift Giving

Now if I can do this anyone can. The other day I decided this would make great birthday gifts, hostess gifts, or just because gifts.

First... you need one of these.

Next... you cut some of these.


then you put them in this with water, and you will end up with

this, gift for a friend,

this in my breakfast room,


this, on the back porch,


and this in my laundry room!
not to mention,

the ones I have already given away. I gave one last month for a friends birthday, another one coming up in September, and who knows. Now you see the multiplication process I was referring to.
This plant is Pothos. Very easy to grow! When the plant starts putting on long runners, I just clip a bunch, stick in some water and wait for them to root. I usually clip enough that I think will make a pretty pot.
This week I picked up two pretty bright colored pots at the thrift store for a $1, that will be perfect for the next bunch that I root.
I might also mention that all of the potting soil I have purchased this summer was Miracle Grow,(Don't use cheap potting soil) that I got half price! My secret, busted bags that just had a small tear, so they put them in clear plastic bags and place them on the half price cart at Lowes.
What kind of budget gift giving ideas would you like to share? Now head over to Kimba's for more great DIY ideas.

Jackie

Art Anyone?

Where have I been?

Enjoying a little art!

Meet the Artists.


The Artist on the right is special to me!

Some of his work......

...and a little bit of the food I prepared for the reception.


I left the house last Thursday AM around 8:00 and made it to Augusta around 10:15. Dropped Stella off and headed to the grocery store. I worked on preparing food until around 3:00 that afternoon, jumped in the shower, then headed to the art gallery to set up. This was a small show of ASU art students that the gallery invites. There were 4 students, and as you can see my son was the minority. There was a great turnout, and Blaine was telling me how much food there would be left over. I was excited because there was hardly any food left over. Some of you asked what I was serving so here it is:

Fruit tray, vegetable tray with dip, cheese and crackers, meatballs in sauce and magic bars. Recipe below. This is just one way I can let my son know that I support in in what he has chosen to do. The students were responsible for putting the fliers together, advertising, set up, and food for the reception which I had a lot of fun doing. We had a great evening, and I spent the weekend with him. I encourage you to never be too busy to spend special time with your kids, they grow up before you know it!

Magic Bars

1/3 Cup Butter or Margarine
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup flaked coconut
2 cups semi sweet chocolate morsels
1 cup chopped pecans
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

*Place butter in a 9 inch square pan, and bake at 325 degrees until melted
*Layer graham cracker crumbs, coconut, chocolate morsels and pecans in pan w/ melted butter
* Do not stir! I pat my crumbs out flat in the bottom of pan
*Pour condensed milk evenly over top
*Bake 325 degrees for 33 minutes or until coconut appears golden. Do not over bake.
*Cool completely in pan and cut into small squares.

The original recipe called for butterscotch morsels, but that seems to make these almost too rich to eat, so I doubled the chocolate chips instead. (I have already made this adjustment in the recipe). I also doubled this recipe for the reception and prepared it in a jelly roll pan. It makes a little thinner square, but these are so rich I think they were just right.

By the way there were none left.

I am joining Jen for Tasty Tuesday, so check out all of the other wonderful recipes here.

Have a great week!

Jackie

Words for Wednesday

Have a blessed day! Jackie

Calling all Seamstresses

I would love to hear your advice on purchasing a new sewing machine. Currently I am borrowing this machine from a friend. It is an older machine, but seems to sew very well, however does not have all the bells and whistles that some of the newer machines have. I am looking for the best quality machine for the best price, of course. When you leave your recommendation please tell me why you prefer a particular machine over another. I am not an accomplished seamstress by any means. So let's I want to hear what you recommend based on your experience.

I am looking forward to doing more sewing and have lots of project ideas I am wanting to try. Here is a great book of projects that I received in the mail last week. I had been looking at this, but this girl does not pay $23 for a project book. Found it on Amazon for 3.99 plus shipping and handling which made it around $7 total.
It is full of so many wonderful projects made from reclaimed wool sweaters, so that is what I have been on the lookout for at garage sales. Picked up 3 cute little girls sweater this weekend for $1 each. I will be using my old machine to make a few of these projects.

So I ask what do you say, Bernina? Janome? Husqvarna? Singer? just to name a few? By the way I will be headed to my son's house this week, and there are several machine shops where I will be able to see all of your recommendations. Have a great week! Jackie

DIY a Diaper Cake

It's DIY day again over at ASPTL! If you haven't checked out all of the great project inspiration, don't miss another week. Last week someone brought an abundance of size 1 baby diapers to our church nursery. We don't often get many babies in that size so our Nursery Coordinator wanted to know if I knew anyone that could use the diapers. I remembered an upcoming baby shower, and took the opportunity to practice a little creativity . My daughter and I had made a diaper cake a few months ago when I was visiting and I was looking forward to the opportunity to try one out for myself.

This started out as a metal Currier and Ives cookie platter. With a little brown spray paint, it became the diaper cake plate.

Next I rolled and rubber banded about 60 of these.

Next I made a cute of these fabric flowers for cake decor.

Instead of ribbon I cut fabric strips with pinking shears out of the brown and pink polka dot fabric. The strips cover the rubber bands that are holding the cake layers together.

I needed a little dowel to attach my baby doll on top, but a pencil covered in brown ribbon worked just fine.

Here I have attached the fabric strips around the two layers, and added the fabric flowers.

And here is the finished cake! There are so many things you could add to this and so many variations. I was trying to stick with the pink and brown, and the little doll on top was the perfect addition. What fun have you had being creative this week?

Head on over to Kimba's and check it all out.

Jackie

Great Summer Giveaway!

Head on over to 4RE to check out what Sandy is giving away! This cute little briefcase grill set by Teak Wicker and More could be yours! Teak Wicker and More sells everything from garden accessories to patio furniture. Winner will be announced Friday. Jackie

Thrifty Glassware

Once again it is Thrifty Treasures over at Southern Hospitality. I have been trying to concentrate on projects around the house, so in that respect thrifting will probably slow down a bit here, not to mention that school starts back today! I will be substituting once again whenever I am called, and that can be a bit unpredictable. However I have found a few things, and one thing in particular that I forgot to show from a while back.

I have almost given up on our Goodwill. We have so many shop owners that frequent these places it is difficult to find things. I found these snack plates and cups , .99 for the plates, and .59 for the cups. I already had several in this same pattern, now I just need to have a get together and use these great plates.

A pumpkin jar to use in the fall. Just a quick tip. Know your thrift stores, and their pricing. Our Goodwill seems to be consistently high. I saw this same jar at GW priced at 4.99! I waited and it was still there at 1/2 price. Call me cheap, but I still couldn't bring myself to pay 2.50 for a seasonal item. I picked it up last week at our Salvation Army Thrift store for a mere .99!

I will be adding these little dessert glasses to my collection. I bought a box of these at an estate sale last year, and have been adding to them . I have picked these up for as little as .29 each and I think I paid .59 each for these. Looking forward to seeing all your wonderful thrifty finds for the week. Now,head on over and check Rhoda's and see all the great finds. Have a wonderful and blessed week! Jackie

My Sweet Reminder

Somedays...

...Stella is my sweet reminder,

to SIT down,

SLOW down,

and just take a few minutes away from the busyness of everyday.

Jackie

More JUNK (oops, I mean Treasures)

Today is Thrifty Treasures over at Rhoda's Southern Hospitality. It was a better weekend for yard sales here than in a long time, still not the magnitude of what Rhoda can find. I was checking out one of her pictures of a sale, wishing I had the queen quilt set that was in the picture. I could see that it was queen size too.

Stella is ready to check out the treasures!

Glass dome .59, Butter dish .39, Oil & Vinegar Bottle .49, 8 clear glass plates 1.50 (waited until they were 1/2 price @ GW, Old Sewing Machine Drawer 1.00.

Old enamelware pan. I drove round about to find this. Needless to say I am not sure where map quest was taking me! This was supposed to be a HUGE sale, the ended up having about 2 card tables of stuff!

Little Handmade apron .50, Wilton Cookie sheet .75, Old Colander like my grandmother used to have .49. Remember I buy nostalgia.

3 Great books $1.00. Chuck Swindoll is one of my favorite authors so I can't wait to read this one! Hope you had a great weekend, and have a blessed week! Jackie

DIY All Around the House

Today is DIY day at ASPTL so I thought I would show you some of our around the house projects, and say if we can do it so can you. We have learned by experience, and well worth it!

First is our tiled kitchen floor, and this was the real learning experience. I won't go into detail. The tile below is our garage room or the big room as we call it. It was our garage that we enclosed.

Hardwood floors that my husband and I put down in our living room, dining room, and hallway.



New bathroom faucet that he installed yesterday. I picked this up off the clearance table at Lowes for 30.00. Had to purchase the drain kit to match for 20.00 but was still a bargain compared to the list price of $128!

The Hollywood lights as I call them are gone, and replace with this Price Pfister light fixture also a Lowes bargain. I can't remember exactly what the list price was, but somewhere around $128 also. They had to take the display down for me, so they reduced the price a little more than previously, a bargain at $26! I know the striped wallpaper has to go, and that is on the DIY list.



I almost forgot this is one of our biggest projects. We enclosed our garage, what is now the big room. My husband and I did all of the work with the exception of the sheet rock finishing. We knew someone that was very reasonable and could finish is in a fraction of the time that it would take these two amateurs. My husband installed two windows, a door , did all of the exterior framing and finish, and hung the sheet rock. I know he is pretty amazing, at least I think so. For more DIY head over to Kimba's.


Now check out yesterdays post to give me your ideas. I want to hear any and all. Have a wonderful day! Be blessed. Jackie

My Kitchen Needs Your Help!!!!!

My kitchen has been feeling a little weary and worn lately, and is asking for your help. My husband has finally said that we need to come up with a comprehensive plan to update . I will give you a few details of what has already been decided along with some questions that I have for you.
Here is a shot the length of the kitchen looking in from the dining room. By now you must be saying YUCK!
Here is what has already been decided:

• The border gone ( or going)
• The counter top will be replaced
• Cabinets updated as budget wise as possible (open for suggestions)
• The tile floor remains, and is in good shape
• Appliances are all stainless and replaced a couple of years ago

Check these lovelies out! My husband is not fond of painting them, because he does not want to change the trim in the entire house(all stained) not my choice, but I have heard many say that their white trim looks too dirty to them. I can live with the stained. How would they look painted if all my trimwork is stained? The beautiful faux butcher block will go, and I can't wait!!!!! I do want to add extra width to this part of the counter for bar stools.
All new hardware for the cabinets too. I like my red kitchen, but am not opposed to another color. I am a very visual person, so sometimes it is hard imagining all that I want to do. I love the cottage look, but my house leans somewhere between traditional and cottage. I am sure I do not want to go with the beach cottage look, because I love color too much! I am not opposed to another color in the kitchen. I love vintage, but too much of that might stand out like a sore thumb. I am just not sure. This is your day to leave a comment if you haven't left one before. My feelings will not be hurt, and I do want your input. So, what do you think? Looking forward to hearing from you. Jackie

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce for a Crowd

It is Tasty Tuesday over at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam. Today I will share my Spaghetti Sauce Recipe that I have been using for quite some time. Someone asked for it a while back so I am finally getting around to it. The original recipe came from Once-A-Month Cooking, but I have changed it to the way my family prefers.

2 lbs lean ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2, 15 oz cans Tomato Sauce
4, 28 oz cans Crushed Tomatoes
5 Teaspoons Minced Garlic
8 Bay Leaves
3 Tablespoons Sugar
5 teaspoons dried basil
3 teaspoon dried Oregano
5 tablespoon dried Parsley
2 teaspoons salt

• Cook ground beef, rinse and drain.
• Add all ingredients
• Bring to a boil
• Simmer on med/low for at least 2 hours.

There, you have enough sauce for a crowd. I usually freeze quart packages for us, or make lasagna with the sauce. I have also used this to make a type of Spaghetti Casserole. Adding one small can of tomato paste will thicken it up for lasagna. Make adjustments as your family prefers, for instance yesterday I had no oregano, so added only 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Only had about 2 teaspoons of garlic, so that is what went in. You can add more onions, mushrooms, and I have even added zucchini. This sauce does not seem to have the acid taste that the canned and jar sauces seem to have. Hope you enjoy, now I've got to go freeze the remainder of sauce that I made yesterday. Jackie