White Dishes on a White Shelf!

While I do love decorating with color...yellows and reds are two of my favorites.  White can be a lot of fun too!  This built-in shelf in our breakfast nook started out with that dated oak color of wood.  I cannot wait to redo and update our kitchen, but until then...some white paint can do the trick! 

The white color added some freshness and brightness to the room.  And I loved adding my collection of white dishes up there.  We don't have a lot of cabinet space, so I also made use of the bottom shelf with our everyday white plates and bowls.  They are easy to grab and set the table with!

Add a few baskets for organization and some books (see my copy of The Reluctant Entertainer up there) and I am loving the new look of my shelf.  Some white paint can do just the trick!  What have you painted recently and you are just loving the look of it?
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Loving our New Coffee Table!

My title is a bit misleading...because our "new" coffee table isn't really new!  Do you remember the photo I showed you all a while back of the coffee table I picked up secondhand for $50?  I loved the details, the storage baskets, and the size!

But it needed a bit of an uplift...some new paint and a fresh look.  So my husband helped me lug this table out into the driveway where I did some sanding, some priming, and then some painting.  It took a few days to work on this one but I am so happy with the result!  As far as the color I chose, I just browsed through the "oops" paint section at Home Depot and picked up a color I liked for just $1.  You can't go wrong with that.  After rolling on a few coats of my new creamy color, I was so happy with the end result.

I lugged that big piece of furniture back into the family room and added a few final touches with a centerpiece and cute tag to label the "toys."  It fits the space perfectly and we are enjoying all of its use already! 

What projects have you been working on lately?  Please share!
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In the Mood for some Baking!

I've had a bit of a sweet tooth lately and the desire to make my own yummy desserts.  Because of this "itch" to do some baking, I have been collecting several delicious recipes to try out this week.  And I thought I would pass them on to you also.  They look so good and if it wasn't late at night...I might start tonight.  Let me know if you try out any of these yummy recipes or if you have another to pass on to me.  I always love a good recipe!  Here are a few for you...

7 Layer Bars or Magic Bars from The Blackberry Vine
1/2 cup butter

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (a sleeve)
1 - 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels (a 6 oz package)
1 cup english toffee bits
1 1/3 cups flaked coconut (3.5 oz can)
1 cup chopped walnuts (I use pecans or a mixture of the two)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a 13 x 9 inch baking pan, melt butter in oven. Remove from oven; add graham cracker crumbs. Mix well and press into pan. (now, this is where I do it a little different from her recipe...add the sweetened condensed milk last...) Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumbs. Sprinkle chocolate morsels, toffee, coconut and nuts on top; press down firmly. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into squares and enjoy!

Blueberry Cobbler from Eat at Home
2 to 2 1/2 cups blueberries
3/4 cup sugar
2 Tbs. water to dissolve the sugar and juice up the berries
1 stick butter
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
1 cup milk

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Put the stick of butter in a 2 quart casserole dish and place it in the oven to melt it while you prep the other ingredients.  Stir the blueberries, 3/4 cup sugar, and 2 Tbs. water together until the sugar has dissolved.  Stir the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder together in a bowl.  Stir in the milk and mix until smooth.  Pull the casserole dish from the oven.  The butter should melted by now.  Pour the batter over the butter, then spoon the blueberries over the batter.  Bake for 45 minutes.

Banana Monkey Bars from A Soft Place to Land
3/4 cup butter or margarine (1-1/2 sticks)

2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (3 medium)
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 6-oz package (1 cup) semisweet chocolate chips

Turn oven to 350 degrees and grease a 15x10x1″ baking pan with shortening. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter or margarine with electric mixer on medium speed until softened. Add sugar and brown sugar and beat till fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat well. Stir in mashed bananas. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add this to the banana mixture, beating until well mixed. Stir in chocolate chips. Eat a few chips. Spread batter in the greased baking pan. Bake in the 350 degree about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan on a cooling rack. Cut into bars.
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A New Favorite Resource...Kids Soup!

I had to pass along this fantastic resource I came across and I love using it!  If you are a parent and you are always looking for ways to teach, entertain, or guide your child in certain skills and creativity...then this is the site for you.  It's called Kids Soup and it is just wonderful!  It costs $2.15 a month to subscribe and you are able to download anything and everything you want.  Activities are divided into themes, categories, and even age groups.  I love printing up practice pages for my little guy to work on tracing his "ABC's" or numbers.  But I also love all of the creative art projects and teaching ideas that are available on here.  I put together a binder for my little guy and hole punch the pages every time I print one up.  It goes in the binder for him, and it's ready to take out and use whenever we have the time.  Whether we use a fun worksheet to practice some new skills or try out a fun new activity or creative art project...this website is full of helpful ideas!

Sometimes when I am trying to make dinner, he asks for his learning binder and he loves to sit and practice tracing and holding his pencil.  He also loves to color the letters, shapes, and illustrations I print up for him.  If you have children...you have to take a peek at this website.  I love it!

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My $5 Table!

As promised here is what I did with that $5 table I scored at the garage sale recently.  It just took a quick coat of spray paint and it was ready to decorate.  I gathered a few items I already had around the house and moved things around utnil I found an arrangement I liked.  I am sure it will be changing all of the time, depending on the season! 

This mirror of mine used to be black, but I wanted a lighter and more neutral look in the entryway.  So, it got sprayed too!  Basically for $8 (cost of the table and a can of spray paint) I had fun giving our entryway a whole new look!  What do it yourself project have you worked on lately?  Can't wait to hear about them!

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What Will Become of These Tables?

I am so excited to have some fun with these two tables I picked up this past week!  I am always willing to snag a piece of furniture for a really good price...even if I have no idea where it is going to go.  The first table is going to be a coffee table in my family room.  After some sanding and paint, it will be the perfect addition to our home.  I just love the storage baskets and it's made by Ethan Allen, so it's a very sturdy piece!  Can't wait to show you what I do with this $50 table...

The other table I found at a local garage sale this weekend, I picked up for just $5.  And I think it might be just the thing for my entryway.  Again, there will be some painting going on in my driveway and then I will reveal what becomes of it also!

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Thank You Gifts

This is the perfect time to browse those clearance shelves for some fun "thank you" gifts and little presents to give just because!  And that's what I've been doing recently.  I love summer clearance aisles with beach blankets, dishes, treats, and more.  When you can pick things up for half the price...that's even better.  Add a cute tag and ribbon and that special someone will really feel special!  My little guy attended Vacation Bible School for the first time this summer and at the end of the week I wanted to say "thank you" for the wonderful job the volunteers did with all of those cutie pie preschoolers.

I added a sweet note and a ribbon to these darling water bottles I picked up at Target the other day.  And it was the perfect way to say thank you for all the time and effort they poured into our kiddos during a week of 100 degree weather!  Think of someone to thank this week and maybe give them a little present to show them how much you care.  What are some of your favorite little gifts to give to those that you appreciate? 

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Always Rearranging...

Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved rearranging furniture!  My favorite way to do it was by myself, and then I would call everyone in for the BIG reveal.  I just loved seeing my mom's expression and hearing all of the feedback on what I did.  Now, you might wonder what could a little girl do all by herself in just one room?  But let me tell you...there are lots of little changes you can make for a big impact.  And I was in the mood the other night to do some rearranging in the family room.  Take a peek around as I added switched some lampshades, added some accessories, and moved around some furniture...

Whether you decide to move around some accessories or completely rearrange all of the furniture in your room...it can be so much fun.  There's no need to throw out all of your furniture or go on a shopping spree for some style change and freshening up.  Take a step back and think about the room you are spending so much time in each day.  What works in this room and what needs a bit of a change?  What needs some updating or even a color change?  Do you need to declutter or add some more decorative touches?  Can you drag a table in from another room?  Maybe add some spray paint and it will "fit" even better!

I challenge you to take a look around one of the rooms in your home that needs some rearranging and take the plunge.  Start moving stuff!  Rearrange the furniture, play with the accessories, and take a chance.  You might just love it!  And of course, share with me any changes you make or even post a link to see what you've been up to.  Have fun rearranging!

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Tags, Tags, and More Tags!

Adding an adorable tag...can make anything super cute!  And tags that are sweet and FREE are even better.  I had to share these wonderful tags I found, downloaded and have ready and waiting for those little gifts I need in a pinch.  Take a look at these sweet summer tags that are perfect additions to a gift for your neighbor, summer school teacher, or a volunteer!  I love finding little ways to say "thank-you" or I appreciate you.  Follow this link to this cool blog called Eighteen25 for these wonderful tags!

Another cute tag I found and can't wait to use is the perfect piece to add onto a birthday gift.  I love not having to spend money on birthday cards but still making the gift cute with these darling tags.  Follow this link to another one of my favorite blogs called Executive Homemaker for these sweet birthday tags.  I hope you enjoy these tags and find some fun ways to use them!

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Fun at the Farmer's Market!

I love visiting our local farmer's market.  It truly feels like summer as my kiddos and I browse the stands and sample all of their sweet fruit.  We've turned it into a fun part of our weekly routine.  Every Thursday we visit the farmer's market to stock up on a week's worth of yummy fruits and veggies.  My little guy loves to walk around and say "hi" to everyone as he shops for his favorites.  The rule is...if he chooses to buy it then he has to also eat it when we take it home.  And it works...he feels pride in the fact that he did some of the shopping for these healthy snacks.  I love watching my kiddos munch on such delicious summer treats.

And when I walk into the kitchen and see a bowl or plate of those beautiful and bright berries and cherries...I can't help but smile.  Farmer's Markets just make me happy!  What are your favorite items to buy at the farmer's market?

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A Little Tip for More Sleep!

For some reason, my little guy began rising earlier and earlier in the moring for a little stretch of time.  My kiddos have always been good, long, and wonderful sleepers and nappers.  So, this got me a bit worried when I couldn't keep up with the rise and shine time!  That's when I got smart and headed to the store to look for a digital clock for my little man.  We had a big talk and a lesson on the number and color he was allowed to wake up on.  A green seven was the time he could come down to our bedroom and tell us he was awake.  Not before that!

The colors helped him to figure out what number he was paying attention to.  The first morning I heard him stir around 6:30 but he must have checked his clock and realized it wasn't time to get up yet.  Because he fell back asleep and headed down the stairs around 7:30!  I heard this sweet little voice on the side of my bed say "It's a green seven mommy!"  I was so happy and proud of him for staying in bed until the right time and I think the colors with the numbers helped him to learn that it was too early and he needed to sleep some more.  The clock only cost me about $8 and getting some extra sleep each morning was well worth that purchase!  Do you have any tricks you use to help your kiddos get the sleep they need?

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A Simple Shutter Becomes Something More!

I was in the mood this week for an easy "do it yourself" project and this is the idea that popped into my mind!  I took a simple shutter that I picked up at Home Depot (but you could use one you have laying around your garage or find at a garage sale).  I layed it in my driveway and gave it a quick coat of colonial red spray paint. 

The next morning I dragged it inside and did a simple fix on the back.  I had two placemats that matched the red color quite well and they were not placemats I use anymore.  My handy glue gun came out and I glued those placemats to the back of the shutter (every three rungs) on the back.  How easy that the placemats were the perfect fit for the size shutter I bought (the smallest one available at Home Depot). 

After the back was dry, I grabbed my level and two nails and hung that shutter right in place!  It's between my kitchen and family room and near my little guy's table and chairs set.  I am using this shutter to place cards in, recent photos, invitations that arrive in the mail and anything else I want to be able to see at a glance!  What a love about this project is that it is an easy way to organize some important mail and fun photos...but it's also an adorable decoration for the wall!  It can't get any better than that!  Do you have any fun "do it yourself" projects you can share?  Just leave a description of your idea in the comments section or a link to your blog and your crafty project!

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