Friends Always Welcome

Raisin Bars

2011-02-18T07:26:00.000-08:00

I have very fond memories of my mom making these when I was little and now I make them for my kiddos ;-)

Raisin Bars

2 C Raisins
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 C sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 C butter
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla

Cover raisins with water and bring to a boil, turn off, cool for 20 minutes. Strain raisins, save enough liquid to equal 1 C. Add baking soda to raisin water, combine all ingredients and blend well. Spread onto 2 greased cookie sheets (the ones with sides). Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes. When cool, frost with a thin frosting...

Frosting

2 C powder sugar
1/4 C butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Mix with a little milk to make thin frosting

Enjoy!

Studio Reveal!

2011-01-31T10:00:00.000-08:00

Remember the before?

Here she is! I still have a few projects left to do before I would call it finished, but I'm super happy with how things are turning out ;-)

Right when you enter the door...I'm thinking of building a screen door for this...I just love the sound a screen door makes as it slaps shut!!

This is to the left after you enter...

This is my big work table...

My paint station...

All of these tubs hold fabric, art supplies and projects. I'm looking for a couple of dressers to organize it all...

This is a picture of my storage area, it will eventually be covered by a curtain made out of drop cloth...

My Farm Fresh sign and a few projects waiting to be painted...

My cozy reading chair, waiting for a slipcover...

I'm planning on putting bookshelves on this wall...

My sewing table...

The rug my Grandma gave me, topped by a local rug find...

I hope you enjoyed the tour ;-)

Detour!

2011-01-26T08:19:00.000-08:00

You know how I promised everyone the after pictures of my studio the next day...well it is not going to happen soon, so let's take a detour!

Do you remember this beauty? No, I'm not talking about me, I'm talking about what is behind me...my built-in hutch. Can you believe this is the only before picture I have of it! I had some others but I think they got deleted when I cleaned up the picture file...anyway here is the before:

*Edited: Guess what? I found another picture!!!!

And here is the after...aaaahhhh, a breath of fresh air!

Be still my heart.

Hey, Hey, Hey!! (done in my best Fat Albert voice)

2011-01-14T05:59:00.000-08:00

Can you believe the last time I have posted was in October?! Oh well...I'm still here, faithfully checking out my blog roll almost everyday to see what wonderful things are happening in blog land.

We had a GREAT Christmas! It was time well spent with lots of family ;-) Coming home was a little stressful, what usually takes about 5 hours, took us about 10! 10!!! I don't think we went any faster than 40 mph the whole time.

Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure...

Anyway, on to the fun stuff...I finally have a place of my own! What I mean is I now have a studio!!!! (Doing a happy dance) I turned our storage room into a wonderful space that I can go and craft/paint/sew/make a mess and leave it for 2 weeks or whatever. I still needed it to have a spot for storage because we have no other place for this stuff (most of it is baby paraphernalia), but I was able to make it work!!! Don't ask me why I didn't do this earlier?

The before:

Ugh! What a mess.

So here's what I did...
1. Clear EVERYTHING (except the giant table) out
2. Sweep the floor and walls (it's an unfinished room so there were/are cobwebs)
3. Paint the walls white
4. Mix 8 gallon cans of half gone various blue paint together and paint the floor...3 coats
5. Organize everything that I took out in the beginning and put most of it back in...in the storage area
6. Set up my studio area

Come back tomorrow to see the after picture...I can't what for y'all to see it!!!

I finally found it!!!

2010-10-15T11:46:00.000-07:00

Hey...look what I found at a thrift store a few days ago!

All together both pieces were a whopping $17 !!!!!! I can hardly stand it...I have been looking for a good chair that I can reupholster for years...LOL

The chair is in really good condition, except for the fabric, which I'm changing anyway. The ottoman's legs are a little loose but that will be an easy fix.

Here is what I am thinking fabric-wise...

I've ordered a yard to see what it looks like in person...if I like it I can use it for the ottoman!

Stay tuned...;-)

Farm Fresh

2010-10-14T08:19:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I got to work on a project that I have been wanting to do for awhile ;-) I LOVE big signs, especially big wooden ones that are free to make!!!

So I went outside to my junk/stash pile and grabbed 3 leftover cedar boards from a fencing project...

I sanded them down a bit to remove splinters, dirt, and rabbit hair (the junk pile is right next to the rabbit cage)...

I then screwed the boards together using 3 small wooden stakes...

(The backside)

(The front side)

Next, I went to work on my letters. I free-handed them and used chalk to make them stand out against the cedar. After that I paint in the letters with white paint and after it was all dry, I took my sander to it once more.

The finished sign! It measures 6' x 17''. I can't wait to show you where I put it...not bad for zero dollars :-)

The BIG reveal...

2010-09-24T13:39:00.000-07:00

Remember the before?

Well here it is now...with 2 coats of primer, 3 coats of Antique White satin paint, a little sanding here and there, and finally a generous coat of antiquing glaze.

All of the hardware is spray painted with Oil Rubbed Bronze...I love this color by the way!!!

I'm very happy with how everything turned out!!! I think my grandma would be proud ;-)

Bedroom Set Redo!

2010-09-16T05:45:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I inherited my Grandparent's bedroom set. It definitely needed some updating!

I have two of these nightstands

The headboard

The footboard

The dresser

Stay tuned for the final unveiling.....

I'm Back!

2010-09-01T06:44:00.000-07:00

WOW! Where has summer gone? Where have I been? Well, I've been right here...I just needed to take a break from blogging for awhile. As for summer, we only had like two weeks of real summer weather...the rest...I'm not sure what happened?

So, I'm back and ready to start sharing what has been going on in my little world. Even though we had a weird summer, I'm so ready for FALL! Actually, I have been ready for weeks, BUT for the sake of my family and friends I have held back the decorations...up until this last Monday! YAY! My favorite time of year ;-) When I finish the transformation later this week, I will let you in on some sneak peaks. As for now, here is some inspiration...

All images are by Country Living

Where in the world have you been?

2010-05-11T11:40:00.000-07:00

OK, so it's been about 2 months since my last post!? What have I been up to? Well, let's see...

We were bitten by the peep diorama bug...

Lots and lots of soccer...

A few yard sales...

This stained glass window

and this screen door were found at a yard sale!

A little bit of decorating...

Some new curtain mistreatments...before...

After...

Oh yeah and I built my first piece of furniture!

The finished result! I'm so happy with the way it turned out ;o)

Yard Sale Loot!

2010-03-23T10:22:00.000-07:00

Here are the goodies I found last weekend!

Friend Making Monday!

2010-03-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

Amber over at aefilkins - for all the 'OMG' moments in life! is doing a Friend Making Monday and I wanted to join in ;o)

1. Favorite thing about Spring? I love to see all the new life coming out...the baby animals, green plants and flowers poking up through the ground, new buds on all the trees, and people everywhere going outside to enjoy the nice weather.

2. What am I doing for Spring break? I'm sending our girls to grandma's house and my hubby and I are going fishing and camping...can't wait!

3. Favorite Spring flower? Would definitely have to be tulips ;o)

4. Do you have a garden? Yes I do! AND I started working in it yesterday. I love to see the progress of cleaning up old plants, weeds, leaves and such...it's such a breath of fresh air!

(Last years garden)

5. If so, what do you grow? Lots of vegetables...but mostly stuff that produces a lot, so I can put it up for the winter. We have plans for green beans, peas, cauliflower, corn, beets, potatoes, peppers, onions, lettuce, squash, tomatoes, and cucumbers.

6. Do you do Spring cleaning? I'm in that mode right now!

7. What is your weather 'really like' right now? Well...since I live in Montana, we can have 70s one day and the next 5 in. of snow...LOL! But today it is clear skies, sunny, WINDY, and 41 degrees.

8. Whats your favorite thing to do on a sunny afternoon? Work in the yard and/or garden ;o)

9. Favorite TV show right now? We don't have cable but we have Netflix.

Cabin Fever!

2010-03-03T06:55:00.000-08:00

On a little island in Alaska lives a sleepy little town. And if you take the right gravel road in that little town it will lead you to one of the most warm and welcoming places in the world! One of my favorite spots is this little cabin that has been fixed up...it's so cute I want to MARRY it!!!!

Come on in and enjoy yourself!

I'm sure you can tell, this one room cabin doesn't have any insulation in the walls, BUT it has this super cute wood stove to keep things warm and cozy ;o) And yes, that is a giant saw blade the stove is sitting on...

A cozy little corner for corresponding or enjoying a cup of tea with a friend...

The door that leads out to the covered porch...

Lots of cozy quilts and pillows, a GREAT place to read your favorite book or to take a nap...

A view of the covered porch that also has a view of the ocean!

Thanks for taking this tour with me, I hope you enjoyed it!

Farmhouse Fresh

2010-03-03T06:36:00.000-08:00

It has finally arrived! The strawberry tray...my first Etsy purchase!!! I'm in LOVE ;o) I have been looking at this forever and finally decided to buy it, I'm so glad I did!

The tulips were on sale at Safeway, first time I have bought myself flowers...LOL! My daughter kept asking who the flowers were for ;o)

I love this little table-scape. It makes me want to bake a pie and then go work in the garden and maybe then milk a cow....just sayin'!

Spring has Sprung!

2010-02-26T13:05:00.001-08:00

A little taste of spring has been welcomed into our home!

Along with spring comes the ever so wonderful 'spring cleaning'! I love this time of year when I can really freshen up our home and rid it of dirt and clutter! This is also the time of year when I like to think about how to make our home a more safe, happy and welcoming place to be.

I have though a lot about cleaning and how I clean this past month...so much so that I have asked some 'Leading Ladies' in my life for their advice and suggestions. The main thing that they all said was to "clean as you go!" This seems like common sense and I'm sure a lot of you do this BUT for me 'it's all or nothing." I wait until it's too late...or until we have guests coming...to do some major cleaning. Don't get me wrong, I keep up on the dishes and things that are necessary to maintain a healthy home but this is an area that I can definitely improve on ;o)

My main goal for the next few days is to get rid of clutter! Once this is done I can really focus on setting up a cleaning schedule ;o)

A great site to check out is flylady.net

I have tried to follow her cleaning routine but it didn't really work for me. Anyway, there are a lot of other great ideas and tips that I use.

Do you have a cleaning schedule? I would love it if you shared it with me!

Master Bedroom Redo!

2010-02-21T15:05:00.000-08:00

Wow! It's been forever since I've posted. Oh well, life goes on.

I have an itch that needs some scratching...LOL! I'm ready to tackle another room in our home and I've decided to work on our bedroom. This room needs some lovin'! OK now get your mind out of the gutter this is a PG rated blog!

This room is such a disaster!

But here are the pros...

#1 The hardwood floors! We refinished them ourselves a few years ago.

#2 Hummmmmmmm can't think of anything else!

Here are the cons...

#1 I like the paint color BUT the previous paint 'technique' I did blue and white stripes with a plastic sack faux finish glaze over the top! Yeah, it was beautiful...gag! I like to think that I'm much more grown up and wiser now....cricket...! Anyway, because every other stripe was 2 coats thicker you can see lines on the walls! NOT GOOD!!!!!!! So to fix this problem I'm going to texture the walls and the ceiling like I did in my kitchen and living room.

#2 Things tend to 'gather' in this room. Part of the problem in here is there is not enough storage and too much stuff! My Hubby is a BIG hunter and for some reason all of the 'inseason' hunting gear and such must be in this room, not sure why? Oh yeah, the mountain lion rug - it needs to go someplace else - I'm so tired of it being in here!

#3 I liked my quilt, but it's too busy for our small room. I'm looking for something in the neutrals and then plan on having fun fabric for the pillows. Also the curtains need to be switched out...

#4 This light...need i say more? I love how there are 3 different light bulbs!

#5 As you can tell - this is a SMALL room with a SMALL closet! I want and need to utilize the space as best I can!

#6 The closet needs some kind of covering....

#7 The nightstands and the lamps need to be bigger! I think they are lost next to the bed.

#8 I'm still thinking about what to do for the furniture...the black dresser and the headboard are from my childhood and have been painted like a lot of times!!!! The other dresser is from my hubby's childhood and he forbids me to paint it - even though the outside is already a faux wood finish. Oh yeah, I don't mind the TV in here but I would like to hide it somehow...armoire maybe?

#9 We need to put trim around the windows, doors and floor...

I think that about covers it. This project will probably take a little longer than I would like due to the time I have to work on it but who knows...I will definitely share my progress along the way!

2010-02-05T10:15:00.000-08:00

I'm getting cabin fever...really bad! And it doesn't help when we get like 3 seed catalogs a week! So I think our garden is pretty much planned out for this year, but I can't help but think about owning more land to start our farm....;)

Be still my beating heart....

You can build it!!!

2010-01-22T10:31:00.000-08:00

Do you know Ana White? She is totally amazing AND she is my new BFF! (She just doesn't know it!) Ana is a self-taught carpenter who takes pictures like the ones below from Pottery Barn and figures out how to build the furniture! She not only does that, she makes step-by-step plans on everything from the cuts to how the pieces all go together and shares them with anyone and everyone for FREE! Check out her blog!

Here are a few things that are on my list to make! I've always LOVED the PB's storage systems but there is no way I would spend the money to get one! Now I can make my own!!!!!

Painted white...

Or stained...I can't decide :o)

Here are the bunk beds I'm going to make for my girls! I'm even thinking they both need a little book shelf like in the picture!

How cute are these? You can make one for around $60! Not bad!

I'm planning on starting with the big storage system. It looks like A LOT, but you build one piece at a time and before you know it you have this awesome piece of furniture!!! I'm going to put it downstairs in the play room to hold all of the toys and stuff :o) Well...I'm off to the lumber yard....;o)

Happy New Year!

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

I hope you all had a great time, we sure did. We built a bon fire in the back yard and bundled up the girls so they could play in the snow. Although, we were in bed asleep by 10:00, oh well :O)

I have been super busy (mainly with cleaning, organizing, and baking) but I have been able to do some of the projects I had wanted to do before Christmas!

I love how this turned out!!! It was well worth the six hours, 8 glue sticks and numerous burns on my fingers...LOL!

The past couple years I have hosted a Valentine's Day party for "Fat Happens" (this is the name of our mom's group!!!) I've got a jump-start on some decorations and craft ideas for the party...

Here is a tasty preview of some projects I'm working on...

Stay tuned :o).......

2009-12-24T12:13:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas !!!

I hope you all have a wonderful time with friends and family and have safe travels :)

We will be home for Christmas, but the day after we are going north to visit my family for a couple of days...I'm so excited!!!

Can't wait to hear about all of the great happenings over the next few day :)

Sigh...

2009-12-23T11:15:00.000-08:00

Dear Blog,

How does it happen to be 2 days from Christmas? Time is FLYING!!!

Why does it happen that when I think I have a good idea for a gift and I go to make that gift, it turns out HORRIBLE!!!!! Oh well.....not bad for my record...one bad....one million good LOL!

I'm off to the store to get a few supplies for another idea.....wish me luck :)

Christmas at my house :)

2009-12-15T06:36:00.000-08:00

I have been really busy lately! But I guess who hasn't? Just this morning I put up our tree...that involved moving A LOT of furniture!!! I'm declaring my Christmas decorating DONE! Now I'm off to work on my gift list...

Brown is Down!

2009-11-27T08:10:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks ago I got to go hunting with my hubby! Look what I harvested!!!!

Pumpkin Cake in a Jar!

2009-11-17T14:22:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share this recipe that my Grandma had sent me for our swap :)

This dessert treat is baked and presented in a wide-mouth canning jar. Because the jar is sealed, the cake keeps indefinitely. It can be made well ahead of the holidays.

Pumpkin Cake in a Jar

2/3 c shortening
2 2/3 c sugar
4 eggs
2 c fresh pureed or canned pumpkin
2/3 c water
3 1/3 c flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking soda
1 c walnuts, chopped
8 pint-sized, wide-mouth jars, with lids and rings for sealing
8 wax paper circles cut to fit inside the canning jars

Cream shortening and sugar together, adding sugar slowly. Beat in eggs, pumpkin and water. Set aside. Sift together flour,baking powder, salt, ground cloves, allspice, cinnamon, and baking soda. Add to pumpkin mixture and stir well. Stir in nuts.
Pour batter into greased canning jars. Filling half-full. Place jars on cookie sheet. Bake upright in preheated 325 degree oven about 45 min. (Cake will rise and pull away from sides of jar)
When done, remove one jar at a time from oven. While still warm, place wax paper circle on the top of the cake . Wipe sealing end of jar. Place lid on jar and close tightly with ring. Turn jar upside down. (Cake will loosen at this time) Repeat with other jars. Leave jars upside down until sealed. (Jar is sealed if lid remains flat when pressed in center)
To serve: Open jar, slide a knife around the cake to loosen and remove the cake from the jar. Warm cake in microwave, slice and serve with whipped cream or ice cream :)

I was thinking about trying this with banana bread?!!!!

Fall Swap :)

2009-11-17T09:33:00.000-08:00

This is what I received from my Grandma for our fall swap :)

Canned Pumpkin Cake!!! (Already tried and it's super good!)

"Happy as a crow can be, sitting in a pumpkin tree!"

How adorable is this?!!!

An awesome table cloth! Grandma is a Master Seamstress!!!

a close up:)

It reverses to this!!!!!

another close up:)

My pumpkin tree!!! Love!!!

What is not pictured is a big pumpkin jar full of chocolate malt balls...which are now gone:(

Thanks soooooo much Grandma!!! I LOVE all of my goodies :) (Can't wait until next year:)

Back in the Game!!!!

2009-11-13T13:06:00.000-08:00

WooooHooooo!!!!! So we got ourselves an early Christmas present! A new camera!!!! (The pics I took with the disposable haven't been developed yet....) Anyway, I have a TON of things I want to share and would in one post although I should probably spread them out a bit :)

So here's for starters....our first REAL winter snow! A whole 6 inches!!! Not as much as other areas, but still super fun for the kiddos :) Can you see the tracks?

One of my many current projects I'm working on...I found this desk at a thrift store an hour away from our town...so wish it was closer!!!! It will be for Makaila for school. She's excited about all the drawers!

I'm painting it Swiss Coffee (a creamy white), the drawers are done, I just have to do the sides and the top. Speaking of the top - the guy who was helping me load it, dropped his side and the back corner chipped off! Ughhhh!!!! Oh well, no will notice when it's painted but me - I hate that, for a minute I thought about finding another one and getting rid of this one - just because of the chipped corner! I bought raspberry spray paint to do the knobs and the chair in. Also I'm going to recover the chair cushions in super cute fabric...can't wait :)

So for the Daughter, Mother, Grandmother fall swap...this is what I got from my mom!!!!

Super cute salt and pepper shakers...the funny thing is I almost bought these same ones to put in their packages!!! LOL!!!

She glued birch bark onto little pots...love :)

My mom is awesome in the woodworking department!!! You should see the table she almost has done (it's been a few years - OK well I've lost track) LOL! (Love ya mom!)

I LOVE this!!!!

Awesome pumpkin pillow!!!

Beautiful wreath!! Mom is a master wreath maker!!! Not kidding!!!

Thanks mom for all of the awesome goddies! I love them all :)

What's coming up...

2009-10-29T16:07:00.000-07:00

So I got myself a disposable camera to hold me over a few more days LOL...I will be posting new pictures soon!!!!!

Here's what I've been up to...

Living room - textured and painted! I can't even begin to tell you how much I'm loving the new color and the overall feel of the room now!

Daughter, Mother, Grandmother Fall Swap - all of my projects are done and waiting for their picture to be taken and to be shipped!

Decorating my kitchen and living room - it's so fun to have a fresh back drop to work with...I've redone a lot of my decorating pieces (mostly with spray paint LOL), and have added some GREAT finds along the way!

Etsy - have been working on projects to put in/open my store!

I'm looking forward to this weekend mostly because Thanksgiving stuff will be going on sale and Christmas stuff will take place of Halloween stuff...YAY!

Yummy!

2009-10-22T05:54:00.000-07:00

This recipe has defiantly made it into our rotation! We had it last night for dinner and loved it!

Cheeseburger Pie

1 pre-made pie/pastry crust
1 lb. lean ground beef (or elk)
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 c all-purpose flour
1/3 c dill pickle juice
1/3 c milk
1/2 c chopped dill pickles
2 c shredded cheese, divided

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F

Crumble ground beef into a large skillet and brown over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, saute. Drain grease from mixture (with elk burger, I never have to drain!!!)

Sprinkle beef mixture with 1/4 c flour, Stir in pickle juice, milk, chopped pickles, and 1 c shredded cheese. Spoon into pie/pastry shell.

Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Sprinkle top with remaining cheese and bake an extra 5 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and the top is nice and bubbly.

Note: You can also add diced tomatoes and shredded lettuce to the top after it's done, just like a real hamburger! Also make sure you add the pickles and the pickle juice, that is what makes this dish!!!!!!

Thanksgiving ideas...

2009-10-21T12:19:00.000-07:00

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I like to start gathering ideas for my table decorations. I love these pictures. Very simple, yet elegant at the same time. I already have my giant table runner done, but I need to add more. Something underneath the runner and something on top of the runner...like a smaller runner? Also I need a centerpiece to go on top of all the runners...still with me? I like the idea of stenciling names and sayings onto the napkins and table cloths...

I also like the idea of not setting the food right on the table, but putting it somewhere else...sideboard or something, not very practical though. Last year we had so many people for Thanksgiving dinner that I set all of the food on the table (expanded out all the way) and we all served ourselves and ate in the living room (I set up a bunch of chairs all around). This works good when there's a ton of people...and it's looking to be the same this year too!

Pictures from www.countryliving.com

The Scoop...

2009-10-20T14:05:00.000-07:00

I soooooooo wish my camera would work!!! I'm planning on getting one of those disposable cameras just so I can capture what I'm doing before I send it off! I'm in the middle of a BIG. FAT. CRAFTING. STORM! My house has been transformed...or as my hubby would say "um, what happened?" That's when you know you are really doing good!!! The deadline for my 'daughter, mother, grandmother' swap is approaching like wild fire and I'm proud to say I'm almost finished!!! Yay...I'm breaking loose from the procrastination chain (for this project anyway - there is still Christmas! LOL!).

In other news (LOL), I'm hacking away at my to do list and I'm getting A LOT of half finished projects (from like years ago!) finished up! I tell ya, there is nothing more motivating than seeing what you all are up to, and what you get done!!!! I LOVE it!

Crock Pot Tuesday

2009-10-13T09:49:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I've posted a recipe - here is my favorite crock pot soup....

Taco Soup

1 lb. hamburger (I use elk burger)
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
2 cans pinto beans
1 can black beans
1 can corn
2 cans diced tomatoes

Brown the burger and then add the taco seasoning mix. Add all of the canned ingredients into the crock pot, do not drain. Add the burger and stir. Cook on low for about 8 hours. Serve with sour cream, chili fritos, shredded cheddar cheese, and small green chilies.

This recipe works well with any beans you may have on hand, sometimes I will chop up an onion and toss it with the browned meat. I also use my own taco seasoning mix recipe:

Taco seasoning mix

1 T chili powder
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp . oregano
1/2 tsp. paprika
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. pepper

This makes quite a bit for just 1 lb. of meat so I usually just use half of it and store the rest in an airtight container for later.

Enjoy!

It came back....

2009-10-13T04:36:00.000-07:00

So this morning I decided to try my camera one more time...it WORKS again!!!!!!? What is going on? I guess it was just having a bad hair day!!! I hope it keeps on working until I can get a new one though...I have so much coming up that I need/want to share!!!!

(Some fun news...)

I had SOOOOO much fun doing a swap with Rambling Gal that I'm doing another swap with my mother and grandmother, a three-way swap! Now you must understand that these two ladies are so talented (they can run with the best of them!) and I'm so excited! I've been working away at my projects and will post what I send and what I receive (they both read this so I will have to wait to show my progress pictures:) Our theme is "If pumpkins were to grow on trees" I then learned that there are some that do grow on little trees, kinda oriental like and people use them over in Asia in stirfries, but whatever! I was picturing like a big giant Oak tree that produced big giant pumpkins :)

Sad News...

2009-10-12T17:22:00.000-07:00

I've noticed something strange going on in Blogland...kind of a ripple effect...lots of cameras are either breaking down or broken or on someone's wish list...

TODAY my camera is no longer with us :( I don't know what happened? It just is not working (And yes I've tried EVERYTHING...new batteries, EVERYTHING and my hubby has tried EVERYTHING!)

I'm asking all of my family members for Amazon.com gift cards for Christmas so I can get this...

Until then I'm not sure how much blogging I can do without a camera (and I was just getting going!!!) Anyway, I will still be here and checking 'daily?' on my blog roll - keep me in your thoughts girls! I know this is a hard time, but I think I will pull through it ;)

Back A.W.A.Y. from the spray paint!!!!

2009-10-02T04:43:00.000-07:00

Last week we went to Walmart (which I live 1 hour away from, sigh).

Here is a conversation I had with my 6 year old daughter while standing in the paint section drooling for about 20 minutes over spray paint.

DD: "Mom, we have been standing here for awhile!"

Me: "I know, just a little longer, I can't decide what colors to get." (At this point I should of just put one of each, no make that two of each into my cart!)

So finally I decided on black, caramel latte, and sparkling canyon (I know, I know; I did get two of each though!)

DD: "Mom, don't you think one would be plenty?"

Me: "No, see you have to have options!"

DD: "Oh"

Be glad to know that DD is being taught the right priorities!!! LOL!!!

So yesterday I started on some projects and wanted to share...

This is going to be one 'giant' table runner for my Thanksgiving table. I love how it's turning out and yes I'm using spray paint with a stencil...

A close up...

I can't decide if I want to do the whole thing this way or just the edges? Whatcha think?

I broke a shutter I got at a yard sale for $1.00 (not on purpose), perfect word plaques for my fall tree...

These are embroidery hoops...stay tuned for the final unveiling...

More hoops, wall baskets and picture frames...

And yes...I'm spray painting on doors, BUT these were headed for the dump and thought they would be perfect for the job!!! And yes...I'm doing this in my daughter's play room downstairs, BUT what kid would rather watch her mother make a mess? LOL!!!!

Whata Weekend!

2009-10-01T05:03:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday my mom came to visit and to help celebrate Makaila and Katelyn's birthday's. We did a joint party because their dates are so close together. The party was fun - there were only six screaming girls, OK maybe they didn't scream the whole time, but they were LOUD! Instead of doing a goodie bag, we opted for the girl's to make beaded bracelets that they could take home...they were all super excited for about 2.1 minutes and then decided that playing would be more fun! Needless to say all of us moms were gathered around the table making bracelets LOL! Oh well, maybe next year...

So anytime my mom comes you can almost guarantee that she will bring some really fun stuff with her...not only for her granddaughter's but for me as well!!!! I L.O.V.E. this!!!!

How cool is this old bread box!!!

She got this at a thrift shop...I can just imagine the possibilities!!!

A beautiful tray full of some of my favorite things...those pumpkins will make great stew/soup bowls!!!

Thanks mom for coming to visit and for all of the wonderful things that you brought with you!! (P.S. I hope that Hubba Hubba didn't make too big of a mess in your house!!!! LOL!!!!)

Halloween Swap

2009-09-25T17:24:00.000-07:00

When I saw this over at Nest Sweet Nest, I knew I had to sign up! My first swap, how exciting, how fun, how...oh crap what should I do, I mean I don't even know this person, will she even like what I put together, what am I thinking, I can't even think of something to put together!

So these were my basic thoughts after I had signed up LOL! Then I received my partner's name and email, so I decided to ask her what she likes and dislikes, yada, yada...

So this is what I sent my first swap partner Beth!

I decorated this box (pink and glamorous were in the rules?) to hold some huckleberry muffins. Beth had never heard of huckleberries, so I thought I would send her something to try.

She had mentioned that she likes whimsical things...so I got her this...

To go in this...

Here are some more goodies...I didn't get a picture of everything I had sent her because on the way to mail the box, I stopped at a store to get some tape...they were just putting out the Halloween stuff, so I had to get a few more things :)

Look what came today!!!! This is what I got from Beth :)

Thanks Beth for being my partner!!! I LOVE all of my goodies you sent!!!!

When the Husband's away...the Wife will...decorate

2009-09-25T17:10:00.000-07:00

The past two days my hubby has been up in the hills hunting elk. Hopefully he finds one today or tomorrow because our freezer is E.M.P.T.Y.

Last night I took advantage of his absence and stayed up late cleaning and decorating. I'm loving the way things are starting to look with the warm colors of fall all around me. Even though I have yet to finish painting my living room, I still put some things out for fall and I realized that I have been missing 'eye candy' in that room for far too long. So, painting that room has moved to the top of my list.

This is a built-in in my dining room...

I love the colors of this arrangement...

Stay tuned for my fall tree...

I HEART Fall :)

2009-09-18T04:42:00.000-07:00

I've always wanted to paint some pumpkins this way...maybe this year........

I love this idea of sticking a candle in a pumpkin...

I COVET Bramble Furniture!

2009-09-18T03:53:00.000-07:00

I recently found a furniture company...you should check out their website...they have lots of pictures of their showroom...I could totally redo my WHOLE house!...baby steps...:)

What I've been up to...

2009-09-16T08:01:00.001-07:00

The past few days I've had a craving for creating! So...naturally...I had to feed that craving :)

The pumpkins have been done for about 3 years, except for the tops (really...I didn't know how to finish them, I was looking for a stick of some sort to make the stem...but then I got into my spool collection for another project and thought they would be perfect!)

This is my first attempt at a chicken wire cloche...please don't look too close LOL (Hey Elise, feel free to tell me how you make your tops look awesome...wink...wink :) Anyway, it turned out cute and I like it :) I'm spray painting a pizza pan for it to sit on...thinking of adding some more spools to the pan for "legs." :)

(What do you think of my awesome furniture arrangement? Really it's not always like this, just 5:00 in the morning when I workout...and when I vacuum :)

The final thing(s) that I got out yesterday involves Christmas (I know, I know!!!) I'm not ready to show them yet but I did them a few years ago for a craft show. Maybe sold one or two, and a whole bunch to my mom (they are the best supporters!!!). Well, all I can say is that they are really DORKY and my taste has really changed!!!! Sooooooooooo...I'm re-working them and I'm thinking about opening up an Etsy store (OK, who doesn't have a store). When I get some done I'll share...:)

Please HELP!!!!

2009-09-11T12:08:00.000-07:00

Do you remember the post about this lamp?

Well...now I can't stand it?! I think it's the flag fabric on the shade that's bugging me? I need your opinion girls!!! What would you do to make this better?

Fall Treat...

2009-09-10T08:33:00.000-07:00

Over the past weekend I made lots of yummy recipes, but this one is my favorite during this time of year :) It's so good I always double the recipe :)

Pumpkin Pie Pudding

1 15oz. can solid pack pumpkin
1 12oz. can evaporated milk
3/4 c sugar
1/2 c biscuit/baking mix
2 eggs, beaten
2 T butter, melted
2 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp. vanilla extract
whipped topping

In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Transfer to a slow cooker coated with nonstick cooking spray. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or until a thermometer reads 160 degrees F.

Sigh...

2009-09-09T05:59:00.000-07:00

This morning I woke up to 39 degrees outside! I so did not want to get out of bed, especially since I put our flannel sheets on yesterday :) I'm considering starting a fire in the new stove, but I'm not sure how bad it's going to smell with the stove black curing?

Our weekend was a big hit, but guess what? I didn't take a single picture!? Not sure how that happened, oh well, you can't win them all LOL! I think the best part was the fire pit we put together in the back yard...it was so much fun to sit around it and roast marshmallows! I learned a new trick that I want to share...instead of using regular chocolate for the smores, try using resses peanut butter cups (the big ones). They are so good that way and I promise you will want a glass of milk to go along LOL!!!!

Wood Stove...

2009-09-01T04:45:00.000-07:00

One of my first posts was about "getting wood" for a wood stove that we didn't have yet. Last weekend my hubby's dad came down and helped put in our 'new to us' wood stove!

The before:

It was a HEAVY bugger! It took the three of us to get it off the truck and into the house...Makaila said we looked like penguins walking when we were carrying the stove...yeah, it was real funny...LOL

I was in charge of painting it with stove black...

While the boys cut a hole in the roof...

Our new chimney...we got lots of attention from the neighbors...

We wanted the stove to be in the corner and at an angle to the room, except the rafters wouldn't let that happen, so that's why it's in the spot it's in...

The after...we LOVE it! I actually don't mind the position it's in now. There is room in the corner behind the stove to put one of my old doors for decoration when we are not using it. Now I can finish painting the living room...

What's going on?

2009-08-28T04:37:00.000-07:00

I had a request to share what is going on in our little town, so here goes...

The week leading up to Labor Day weekend is fair week - lots of animals, entries, and good food...

Friday we are taking the kiddos to the fair to see the animals and to go on carnival rides...

Friday is also the day that our company comes...

Every year we host a big BBQ at our home, we invite everyone we know and it's always lots of fun, this will take place on Saturday...the main event is my Hubby BBQ-ing, he is amazing!!!

Sunday is the RODEO! We have a babysitter!!! After the rodeo there is always a concert, this year we decided not to go to the concert. Instead we are going to come back home and start a campfire in the back yard...

Monday there is a breakfast hosted by the local Volunteer Fire Department, you can't miss that!

And to top it all off is the parade...

Tuesday we will be starting homeschool, but that is a different post in itself...:)

Count Down...

2009-08-26T05:59:00.000-07:00

Well, it's that time of year again...the time that marks the beginning of FALL...the time that I look forward to every year...the time that I say "where did the time go, I can't believe it's here!"...

Labor Day Weekend
is the biggest event of the year in our little town.

People come from miles around, including a caravan of guests that will be arriving in 9 days; to stay at our home!!!!

This is the time that I start to panic...I know everyone is coming to see us...BUT...something in me decides I need to get all of the projects from the last year (OK maybe more than that...) done!!!

So...I made another list...and another...

My Husband thinks I'm crazy...maybe that's why he married me LOL!

Thinking about it all makes me tired...but I have a game plan...

First things first...

I decided that I can't do the cleaning that I want to do without things being organized first, so I have been purging our home of junk...I've made one drop off so far to the thrift store (it's weird taking stuff to them, instead of from them!)

When I get everything organized, then I will give the whole house a good cleaning, and then I will start on unfinished projects, that way if I don't get everything done I will still have a clean and organized home...

It sounds good on paper, we will see what happens...

Flea Market Style...

2009-08-25T20:59:00.000-07:00

OK Girls...Have you seen the "Flea Market Style" magazine? Well, they have a blog... and they are having a giveaway...Just go to their blog and leave a comment.

You could win this awesome prize!!!!

Fall Preview...

2009-08-21T05:49:00.000-07:00

I know it's not even September, but I can't help it! I'm craving FALL!!! Here is a preview of some "fall candy" in my kitchen...

After taking the pictures I noticed some "holes" that I need to fill in...oh darn...I have to go shopping!

Huckleberry Muffins

2009-08-19T10:25:00.000-07:00

One day, up high in the mountains of nowhere, we found ourselves a huckleberry patch...they were small...and after about 3 hours of picking we had about 2 cups...just enough for some muffins. Yum...

Huckleberry Muffins

Ingredients:

3/4 c butter
1 c white sugar
1 egg
3/4 c milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 c flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c huckleberries

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease 15 muffins cups, or line w/ muffins papers. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Mix in the egg, milk and vanilla until well blended. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; stir into batter until just moistened. Fold huckleberries into batter. Spoon batter into muffin cups, filling at least 2/3 full. Bake for 15 min. or until tops spring back when lightly pressed.

*If you can't find huckleberries, blueberries work well.

Operation Organize...

2009-08-18T15:53:00.000-07:00

A while back Teri at the Farm Chicks posted about going through a "detour." Here is my MAJOR "detour." It all started with wanting to get out my fall decorations! But, first I decided that I should wipe out and organize the cabinets in the kitchen (I can't remember the last time I did this? Is that bad?)...

The Before...Yuck!....Can you tell where I keep the toaster?...

The After....now filled with things from the pantry...

Before....So I counted TWO sets of pots and pans...don't ask LOL!

After...I'm getting rid of one set and had room left over to fit stuff from the first cabinet...

So now that I had the pantry door open might as well keep going, right?

I'm not sure why I keep my shoes in the pantry...was a good idea at the time?

...So then I started thinking...I have a lot more room downstairs in the basement storage room...hummmmmmmm......

...So now I'm moving all of my pantry things and then decided to turn the previous pantry into...wait for it...

A Craft Closet!!!!

I might be crazy, but I LOVE it! I not quite done filling it up with all of my stuff, but you get the idea. The books will eventually be moved to a bookcase when we find one...I love being able to see all of my craft books and supplies, that were previously boxed up...there is even a spot for my sewing machine when I'm not using it!

Kitchen...

2009-08-12T10:41:00.001-07:00

This is the before:

This is the after...

I don't know if you can tell in the pictures but the walls and ceiling are now all textured and painted. I have 2 cabinet doors I have to repaint (they got ruined in the chaos), and of course decide where I'm going to put everything (decorating stuff). I'm sooooooo happy with the way it turned out, the colors are very fresh and relaxing! And now on to the next project...

Crock Pot Tuesday?

2009-08-11T13:43:00.000-07:00

So I know I declared "Crock Pot Tuesday," but my Hubby wants to BBQ tonight and try out a new sauce recipe, Yee-haw!...

Texas Jack Sauce

2 c ketchup
1/4 c Tabasco sauce (must be Tabasco sauce)
1/4 c Dijon mustard
1/4 c Jack Daniel's whiskey (I use this just for cooking LOL)
1/4 c molasses
2 Tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. liquid smoke

Combine all the ingredients in a deep, heavy, nonreactive saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat slightly and simmer the sauce, uncovered, until thick and richly flavored, 15 to 20 min. Correct the seasonings, adding any ingredient you fancy. Use right away or transfer to jars, cover, cool to room temp. and refrigerate. The sauce will keep for several months. Makes about 3 cups.

This baby has quite a kick! The tender of tongue may wish to cut back on the Tabasco sauce!

Note: We will be trying this on BBQ pork chops (both Jason and I like heat). The little ladies will get heat-free sauce!

You could win...

2009-08-11T04:18:00.001-07:00

"Giveaway at Apron Girls sponsored by great cookware and beautiful desks !"

For a chance to win these go here! The drawing will end Sunday, August 16th at 11:oo PM MST
Tell them I sent you:)

AWANA

2009-08-04T06:26:00.000-07:00

Today AWANA starts! Makaila can hardly stand herself she is sooooo excited! This year she will move up to Sparks. So, I have declared Tuesdays' Crock Pot Day to help with the evening rush. Here is this weeks recipe:

Slow Cooked Chili

2 lbs. ground beef (I use ground elk)
2 16 oz. cans kidney beans
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce (I use a little more)
2 med. onions, chopped
1 can green chilies
1 can corn
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tsp. pepper
Shredded cheese
Sour cream

In a skillet, cook beef over med. heat until no longer pink, drain. Transfer to slow cooker. Add the next 9 ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4 hours. Garnish individual servings with cheese and sour cream if desired.

Monday was a busy day!

2009-08-04T06:05:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Jay finished all of the trim up in the kitchen, I got it all stained, it is now all done! Yahoo! Yesterday I started the process of texturing and painting. It's going slow but so worth it! I have the far wall completed and I love to just stand and stare LOL. I have half of the ceiling textured and my plan for today is to finish up in the kitchen and then tomorrow move on into the living room. We have company coming this weekend so that is a huge motivation LOL!! I love the colors we decided on (finally), the kitchen's color is called Misted Silver (a smokie blue) and the living room's color is called Home Range (a dusty taupe) I'm holding back on decorating until it's all textured and painted but I did put a few things up to look at...

They came!

2009-08-04T05:59:00.000-07:00

Well on Saturday I didn't get to any yard sales (sniff), but look what came!!!!

I have started reading both books and I can't wait to try some new recipes and make my first apron (I've caught the apron fever)!!!

Change of plans...

2009-07-31T16:46:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I moved some stuff around and now the sister's share a room together. Katelyn's old room is now going to be the school/computer & office/craft room...

My little helpers:)

A preview of the color...which is yummy! It's a good thing I didn't finish the nursery, now I don't feel so bad repainting LOL! (See I had this planned all along)

This color makes the room a little dark, but I'm going to use a lot of whites and pinks...

One point for me!!!

2009-07-31T16:29:00.000-07:00

So I'm feelin' the happy dance because I finished a project!! Which is a big deal because I have procrastination in my DNA! (Although reading other gal's blog's have kicked me into gear LOL!)

I found this beauty at a yard sale about a month ago for free! Best part...it worked! Worst part...I think someone poured a soda on it...it was gross!

My $4.00 lampshade from Goodwill...(No, I'm not wrapping it-the Christmas paper is for the pattern to cover the shade)

The After! (If I could put in a sound effect, I totally would LOL!!!)

Crazy Days

2009-07-31T16:19:00.000-07:00

Each year participating stores in our little town has a big clearance sale known as "Crazy Days." This year I found a $70.00 pullover for $9.00.

It looks much cuter on me than the chair, but you get the idea:)

Thrift store finds...

2009-07-28T06:15:00.000-07:00

I had some really good thrift store finds the past couple of days and as always added more projects to my already overflowing plate!!!

The lampshade will be given a face lift and will go on my star lamp. I'm going to use the wine bottle holder in my guest bathroom for washcloths.

I'm going to use these old hymn books for decoupage...

I'm planning on making a shaggy swag, so I picked up some rickrack for it:)

I think this is a hanging lantern. It would look good with a candle on a back porch...

Picture Frames

2009-07-28T06:02:00.000-07:00

I got this idea off The Farm Chicks' blog, we had a lot of fun with them...

"Where is Makaila?" you ask, she was having so much fun in the water, we couldn't pull her out for a couple of pictures!

What a weekend!

2009-07-28T05:52:00.000-07:00

We had a GREAT weekend! Of course I didn't take very many photos (something I need to work on!), but here are some good ones:)

Fun filled weekend ahead...

2009-07-23T08:40:00.000-07:00

This weekend will be a busy one!!! Friday morning we are leaving around 7 to head up north!

The itinerary:

Friday...
Arrive at Dad and Rexanne's about noon
Help them get last minute details pulled together for Sat.
Boat ride? (hope so!)

Saturday...
Head to town for some shopping, a few yard sales,
the farmer's market
Go see our good friend's new place (hope they will be in town!)
Go out to Rebecca Farm to watch my amazing mother ride her horse
Head back to Dad's - BBQ @ 3:00 p.m.
Can't wait to see Joye!

Sunday...
Leave early in the morning for MWSB reunion!
Sometime after that head back home...

Stay turned for some awesome pictures of the weekend ahead...

Just what I need...more fabric!

2009-07-22T05:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I took the girls to the quilt store here in town...I had one thing on my mind..."buy this before it's all gone!"

I have had my eye on the above fabric for about 6 months now! I'm planning on doing valances for my kitchen and my very first quilt! This piece will be a wide outside border.

The blue fabric will be a skinny inside border. The red fabric will be my binding.

Here is a picture of some of the "pre-cut" squares that I got for my quilt. I'm planning on "maybe" starting this after Labor Day...I will keep you posted!

Today's breakfast...

2009-07-21T06:26:00.000-07:00

This is a recipe I got out of my "Best of the Best from Alaska Cookbook!

Early Morning Quiche

1 unbaked pastry shell
12 stripes of bacon, crumbled
1/2 c grated cheese
1/3 c chopped onion
4 eggs, beaten
2 c whipping cream ( I used half and half)
dash of cayenne pepper, black pepper, and basil

Line pastry shell with double thickness of foil. Bake at 450 degrees for 5 min. Remove foil and bake another 5 min. Remove from oven. Reduce heat to 425. Sprinkle bacon, cheese, and onion over crust. Beat eggs, cream, and seasonings. Pour into crust. Bake for 15 min. Reduce heat to 300 degrees and bake for 30 min. or until knife inserted into center comes out clean. Serves 6-8. Enjoy!

How does your garden grow?

2009-07-20T12:58:00.000-07:00

Our garden is doing awesome! Last night we had our first broccoli from the garden, it was sooooo good! We also planted two new trees last weekend:) The one in the front yard is a Toka Fruiting Plum tree and the one in the back yard is a Mesabi Pie Cherry tree.

Wood!

2009-07-20T12:35:00.000-07:00

Next month we are putting in a wood stove in our living room! So to prepare for the winter, we are "getting wood." We take both of the trucks and have made two trips so far. The girls have lots of fun...Makaila always makes a "pretend" campfire and then they "hunt" for animals.