smile, wink, nod

2012-02-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

recently, i found this groovy, vintage bathing suit.

it' a jantzen. i'm not sure if it's from the 50's or 1960's...

i can tell you, that the fabric melts-in-your hand and is loaded with brilliant, summery colors. i stuck it up on eBay and we'll see if anyone will snatch it up!

i'm not into "wearing" vintage clothing, but i do appreciate beautiful work. if i had a cottage or lived on a lake, i think this would make a stellar piece to display in your bathroom, for the summertime.

wouldn't it make a great conversation piece?

smile, wink, nod.

2012-02-14T19:51:00.000-08:00

on saturday night, i worked at the william peter mansion, hosting a valentine murder mystery for a very fun group of guests.

that's my boss, teresa on the right... she has taught me so much about writing murder mysteries and short stories.... and has taught me to relax under pressure...how to take things right up to the edge and proof that everything will work out. her confidence in me, is something i will be eternally grateful for... since i think i probably carried "c's" in english and creative writing classes in high school. oh but, if only miss best and mr. little larry stricker, could see me now! they may just give me a nod.

this is us, on the floor of her office... going through character scripts.... round two or maybe it was three? this shot was taken just before we became extremely slap-happy and right before dessert was being served. we got the giggles, like teenagers and tears were raining down my face...

i know.........what-a-job-i have!

after the party, i laid down with the owner's daughter, holly, in the office twin bed. we re-hashed the night and talked about forthcoming parties and the themes the mansion will be doing, in march.

how blessed am i, to be part of the mansion-chick team.

smile, wink, nod.

2012-02-09T19:22:00.000-08:00

while out thrift shopping the other day, i ran across this ever-so-vintage-ever-so-yellow-ever-so-polka-dotted-all-weather jacket. it must be from the 1950's or early 60's.

it's in perfect vintage condition.

sadly, yellow isn't my color. i'm much to pale and what, with my faux blond hair... i'd look ridiculous in it.

but, i know someone will love it.

maybe someone with great dark hair and beautiful brown eyes... someone like marlo thomas.

speaking of marlo thomas.... if you're a child of the 60's, like i am... maybe you'll remember this theme song. i know my blog music will be a distraction... but listen to it anyway.. it'll bring back happy vintage memories!

smile, wink, nod.

p.s. the ever-so-yellow-polka-dotted jacket, is up for grabs on ebay... click on my ebay door on my sidebar, if you're at all interested.

again... smile, wink, nod.

2012-02-06T16:17:00.000-08:00

just a couple really cheap flea market finds!

6 quarters total.

such a busy monday today, but i did manage to squeeze in a trip to salvation army and treated my boy to a panera bread lunch. i had vegetable soup in a bread bowl... he had a blt. then it was home to homeschool lessons...

i finished up my kindle book, charlotte figg... which i highly, highly recommend, and didn't want it to end! tonight, i'll dive head first into this salvation army treasure, the tea rose by jennifer donnelly, which i invested .33 cents in!

i'm thinking it's just about time for me to splurge on a few of the cottage tales of beatrix potter... via amazon books... used of course. check out the series.... sure does look interesting:

click right here!

happy monday night!

smile, wink, nod.

2012-02-04T17:00:00.000-08:00

totally random things in my world....

goldfish waiting in a glass, while their bowl is being cleaned.

weather in michigan? i flipped the air conditioning on in my car and pulled off my 100% wool sweater. seriously, is this february in michigan?

zoey-ella cuddled up after her bath. i renamed her ella-bean.

i'm trying a new hair product, pantene for curly girls. i love it.

just discovered vistacost.com... great place to order gluten free items... $10. off coupon at their site and free shipping on orders over $49. i bought $50. worth of pasta and brown rice flour.

we harvested a few beets, this past week. who knew, you could continue to harvest your garden year 'round in michigan?

loving my kindle... currently 3/4 though, "charlotte figgs takes over paradisee."

here's a quick shot of part of my booth at the local flea market.

during the week, i watched the dvd, "nanny mcphee returns," i reactivated my netflix account. oh, the scenery in that movie! loved it. dinner tonight was a new recipe... chicken tenderloins, dipped in butter and rolled in potato chips. baked at 350 for an hour. fattening and what a hit!

smile, wink, nod.

happy saturday.

2012-02-02T08:19:00.000-08:00

it's been literally ions, since i've talked about homeschooling.

and yes-sir-ee.... we're still at it. this year has proved to be one of the best. most likely because, i've streamlined it directly into my son's veins! and kept an eye on his vision for his future. for us, it's not about the campaign against mexico city led by winfield scott. or why eddie rickenbacker did what he did. not that knowing those things are a bad thing... it's just something that doesn't interest us.

it's about figuring out certificates of deposit terms and compounding interest and annual yields. it's about learning about escrow accounts and ruptured quad tendons in dire need of repair and how the caliphate is playing a role in our future. it's about learning, researching, you-tubing and absorbing everything you can about abu dhabi.... because you talk via facebook everyday with someone who is there!

here's what our day today, looks like:

-teaching textbooks (a regimented, well planned out, good pre-algebra curriculum) subtracting negative coefficients.

- business math: operating and maintaining an automobile

-agricultural mechanics: welding, oxyfuels and oxyacetylene and other gases.

-science: lifepac, balance in nature... a christian science program. write a paper on luther burbanks.

-killing lincoln by bill o'reily... he's reading this for history and writing 5-10 facts on what the chapter was about.

-current events.... we plug into glenn beck radio or rush limbaugh and listen and discuss. sometimes the discussion goes on throughout dinner. lots of good info and truthful, too.

after lessons... the learning doesn't stop!

-work with dad remodeling one of our apartment units or work at the neighbors farm or do chores around the house or help me with my small business or "homework."

-evening: a documentary, history channel, a game of scrabble or backgammon, or xbox games or just surfing the net, or being quiet so mom can sleep on the couch!

and, yes.... i even let him listen to country music while he does his homeschooling....as long as he does his work correctly.

smile, wink, nod.

2012-01-26T18:01:00.000-08:00

while driving home last night, i had the radio tuned to 89.9. "dance me until the end of love," played on the radio, soft and sweet. my heart stopped. i had never heard it before. actually, listening to the song... i believe i stopped breathing for a minute. i grabbed an ink pen, waited for the song to end and scribbled the song title and cheeky duo, THE CIVIL WARS onto the palm of my hand.

when i came home... i didn't walk, i ran to my laptop and googled THIS. clearly, it is one of the most beautiful love songs i have ever heard in my life. please take a minute an listen. google the lyrics, if you need to. read them. they are indeed, profound. I believe it was Leonard Cohen, who originally sang this gem and who deserves a huge hat tip, as well. Listen and watch this beauty, HERE.

2012-01-24T17:15:00.000-08:00

just popping in tonight, to share with you.. my latest little project. last week, i was invited (feeling privileged, actually) to set up shop in the corner of a historic little village due west of us. it's the cutest little shabby chic store! it specializes in vintage blue jeans, upcycled vintage jewelry and vintage clothing. if you're on facebook...... you can find the store and it's daily posts at: the b. hive.

smile, wink, nod!

2012-01-22T17:16:00.000-08:00

happy sunday night!

2012-01-19T16:55:00.000-08:00

baby, it's cold out side.....

and snowy.

and, very pretty!

a perfect, blustery day to plug in the old crock pot and try a new recipe, before heading out to run errands.

and so.... i made, "winter squash and white bean soup."

'twas indeed, delish. with rave reviews from the mister.

the magical ingredients? cumin and cinnamon.

click here for the recipe.

i adjusted the recipe for us, by adding white beans and minced garlic.

smile, wink, nod.

2012-01-13T04:18:00.000-08:00

with christmas money received, i invested in another one-year subscription to netflix. i think i'm probably the very last one in the united states, to have seen the movie, "water for elephants." so, i ordered it. 'twas delivered to my door, yesterday. oh, happy was i, when we flopped on the couch, our bellies full from crock-pot beef stew, and settled in to watching it!

we're captivated.

'bout time they make good movies, said the mister.

and then.... it happened.

a quarter of the way through.... the dvd stopped.

just stopped. after carefully inspecting it. the mister, realized the dvd was slathered with scratches.

don't ya just hate that?

smile, wink, nod.

2012-01-11T17:59:00.000-08:00

i splurged.

and, happy i did.

normally i hate buying sheets and towels. no really, i really hate it. i hate buying curtain's too. and, don't even try to talk about drapes with me... i'm liable to bang my head on the nearest wall.

so with that said, my blogger friend, i confess with a sigh and a roll of my eyes, the mister and i were long, long, long overdue for a new set of queens.

army green egyptian cotton sheets.

that is what i purchased.

i'm not sure of the thread count.

but, they were inexpensive. i washed them, tumbled them dry with an outdoor fresh fabric softener and........ they came out of the dryer with barely a wrinkle.

they are delightful, indeed.

smile, wink, nod.

2012-01-09T18:41:00.000-08:00

TAKE A MINUTE AND READ THIS!

After reading it, You will never look at a deck of cards in the same way again
It was quiet that day, the guns and the mortars, and land mines for some reason hadn't been heard.
The young soldier knew it was Sunday, the holiest day of the week.
As he was sitting there, he got out an old deck of cards and laid them out across his bunk.
Just then an army sergeant came in and said, 'Why aren't you with the rest of the platoon?'
The soldier replied, 'I thought I would stay behind and spend some time with the Lord.
The sergeant said, 'Looks to me like you're going to play cards.'
The soldier said, 'No, sir. You see, since we are not allowed to have Bibles or other spiritual books in this country.
I've decided to talk to the Lord by studying this deck of cards.
The sergeant asked in disbelief, 'How will you do that?'

'You see the Ace, Sergeant? It reminds me that there is only one God.

The Two represents the two parts of the Bible, Old and New Testaments

The Three represents the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost.

The Four stands for the Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John ...

The Five is for the five virgins there were ten but only five of them were glorified.

The Six is for the six days it took God to create the Heavens and Earth.

The Seven is for the day God rested after making His Creation.

The Eight is for the family of Noah and his wife, their three sons and their wives -- the eight people God spared from the flood that destroyed the Earth....

The Nine is for the lepers that Jesus cleansed of leprosy He cleansed ten, but nine never thanked Him.

The Ten represents the Ten Commandments that God handed down to Moses on tablets made of stone.

The Jack is a reminder of Satan, one of God's first angels, but he got kicked out of heaven for his sly and wicked ways and is now the joker of eternal hell.

The Queen stands for Mary.

The King stands for Jesus, for he is the King of all kings.

When I count the dots on all the cards, I come up with 365 total, one for every day of the year.

There are a total of 52 cards in a deck; each is a week - 52 weeks in a year.

The four suits represent the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.

Each suit has thirteen cards -- there are exactly thirteen weeks in a quarter.

So when I want to talk to God and thank Him, I just pull out this old deck of cards and they remind me of all that I have to be thankful for.'
The sergeant just stood there. After a minute, with tears in his eyes and pain in his heart, he said, 'Soldier, can I borrow that deck of cards?'

Please let this be a reminder and take time to pray for all of our soldiers who are being sent away, putting their lives on the line fighting

Prayer for the Military.

Please keep the wheel rolling. It will only take a few seconds of your time, but it'll be worth it to read on...

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.

Protect them.

Bless them and their families.
I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
Amen
When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our servicemen and women all around the world.

Of all the gifts you could give a Soldier, prayer is the very best one.
IN GOD I TRUST

2012-01-06T18:54:00.000-08:00

when i see dreamy cottages like this... i can't help imagining what the lady of the house is doing inside?

is she snuggled up with a good book?

baking molassas cookies?

bubble bathing in lavender soap?

knitting by the fireplace?

how about you?

what do you think the lady of the house is doing?

smile, wink, nod.

2012-01-05T17:48:00.000-08:00

last night, i planted myself on the living room floor, laptop on a make-shift desk a.k.a. an upside down laundry basket and listed a handful of vintage pieces on ebay.

fingers crossed... they'll sell and be on their way to some spunky vintage collector.

although i admit... if the coat doesn't sell... it's my baby! my sweet, sweet baby!

i bet your dying to know, what's up for bid?

yeah, i thought so.

click here and take a little peek!

smile, wink, nod!

2012-01-04T18:13:00.000-08:00

just because the christmas decor is packed away for another year... doesn't mean that a girl can't have fun spicing up her deck in january. and so i did.

i made homemade ice candles. yes i did.

i just used a couple of rubbermaid plastic food storage containers, filled with water, tinged the water with pink food coloring and stuck a candle in the center... and froze them.

then, of course the best part, once it was dark outside and the ice containers were frozen... i popped them loose and lit them up!

sure did make the evening cozy!

smile, wink, nod.

2012-01-03T15:56:00.000-08:00

want
to
giggle?
click here

and
you'll
be
on
your
way
to
my
homemade
youtube
video.

2012-01-02T17:47:00.000-08:00

pinch me. tell me i'm not dreaming.

okay so it's true, i found this small greenhouse, made from distressed metal and glass at the salvation army.

are you sitting down?

because, i paid $6.99 for it.

it just needs cleaned up a little and then i'll plant different lettuces and basil inside. i am thrilled to be gardening in the wintertime. outside of growing windowsill sprouts, i'm limited to what grows fresh around here. this should satisfy my green thumb...

one of my favorite vintage gifts i received for christmas... was this wild-looking vase. i'm picturing lilacs and bleeding hearts cascading out of it. or white-wild roses with sprigs of rosemary befriending each other.

for now however, i'm just enjoying moving it from room to room and seeing where it looks the best.

truth is, it looks good everywhere.

smile, wink, nod.

2012-01-01T16:04:00.000-08:00

january first and look what my man dug up.

that's right... half a bushel basket of sweetish-luscious, sunny carrots from our garden! and wait... there's more. lot's more. in fact, there's another half bushel basket ready to be plucked up and processed. seriously friends... this is a major-big-deal. january in michigan provides very, very little fresh anything. nor cheerful colors of any kind. wink.

tomorrow, will find me befriending my food processor and stashing bags of carrots in the freezer.

i'm thinking this is a really good sign, that 2012 is going to serve us well.

smile, wink, nod!

p.s. happy new year jamie! i appreciate your faithfulness!

2011-12-28T16:32:00.000-08:00

a few posts back, i shared my latest read, the poisonwood bible. i haven't finished it. not even close. truth is, there are just way too many good books, that intrigue me. too many titles and excerpts and inviting covers. and, although i wish i was the type of person who can juggle reading several books at one time, i'm just not that talented!

i'm sliding this dream cottage into this post, because i knew you'd love it and you'll agree... it would be a heavenly reading cottage! imagine how cozy it would be with a the doors pulled shut, a really good book and a warm-summer rain hitting the rooftop.

for now, my soft couch and polar fleece blanket is my reading sanctuary. not bad at all. and i'm 3/4 of the way through this thrift shop treasure (i recently found), "a vintage affair." it's light and a little fluffy... the pages take me inside of a vintage resale shop in london and to the romantic vineyards in france. it's sprinkled with history and mystery.

love the book.

love my couch.

love my polar fleece blanket.

2011-12-27T16:23:00.000-08:00

fresh strawberries in december in michigan is a delicacy.

while shopping at vince and joe's...a gourmet grocery store, which is a good drive south of us, i found these sweeties!

i sliced the tops off and served the berries with strawberry yogurt dip, on christmas eve.

getting ready to discard the stems and tops of the berries, i suddenly realized how festive and colorful they'd be if i put them in an ice wreath!

this is how it turned out!

it made me smile, each time i walked by our window.

i guess this is what you could call an upcycled food wreath!

smile, wink, nod.

2011-12-22T03:56:00.000-08:00

on tuesday, i met my friend rhonda at starbucks, for a little christmas season fun! maybe it doesn't sound like that big of deal to you... (wink), BUT, starbuck's isn't a place either of us frequent. because, well.... we're ~~too cheap~~ frugal. and quite honestly, we'd both rather use our $3. on a gallon of gas then coffee.

ahhh, but 'tis the season for celebrating with those you love, so we both parted ways with our $3.00 and splurged on peppermint hot chocolate and pumpkin latte (something or other).

and.... we enjoyed a cozy game of scrabble! besides about 100 other mutual interests... this is, for sure one of our favorite things to do together.

i've never won a game with her. probably because she makes me play with the board upside down like this.

i did score 42 points, on one play.. (note: starbucks cup sleeve).

after the game,

we left with warm hearts,

filled with the spirit of Christmas and promises to meet again, very soon!

smile, wink, nod!

2011-12-20T16:39:00.000-08:00

as tradition goes..... i made this fantastically simple, scrumptiously delishable, gluten-free carmel popcorn recipe.

tipping my hat to my cousin lori, for this well-loved, sweet snack!

feel free to copy, paste and print the recipe below!

cousin lori's carmel popcorn

2 cups of light brown sugar

2 sticks of butter or margarine

1/2 c. light corn syrup

bring to boil and boil for 5 minutes

remove from heat and add a pinch of salt and cream of tarter and 1/2 t. soda

pour over 8 quarts of lightly salted popcorn (approx. one roaster pan full). mix well. bake for an hour at 200*. dump out on wax paper and break apart.

store in airtight container.

2011-12-19T20:33:00.000-08:00

like you, this christmas season is keeping me busy as a bee!

i am way behind in everything.

shopping.

wrapping.

baking.

the little things.

this season found me busy working at a few different places. places which i've enjoyed working at immensely. and, i'm indeed, thankful to have many job opportunities. especially in michigan's rocky economy.

i have two days off before i work again... in other words, the next couple of days i'll be flying around (like a bumble bee), getting things organized for the big weekend.

how about you?

are you all set for santa?

smile, wink, nod.

2011-12-14T16:13:00.000-08:00

over the weekend,

i made my very own youtube video.

want a little giggle?

i thought so...

click here and i'll see you there!

2011-12-11T17:06:00.000-08:00

dear santa,

forget the flame less candles, i asked for in the previous post. this is really all i need.

a volkswagon camping tent.

imagine how much fun it would be to decorate and find camping accessories. retro, of course.

i believe this is only available in england.

which is a bit far for me to pick up. but if it was available in the u.s.a. i seriously think i would invest in it.

$480.

yellow, blue or red.

and it would work wonderful for the out-of-town shows i go to in the summertime.

so what-da-ya say, santa?

swing by london and haul one back on your sleigh.

smile, wink, nod.

2011-12-09T18:48:00.000-08:00

dear santa,

all i'd really like this year is about 100 of these scented, flameless candles. have you seen any, around the north pole?

i bought two of them at our local goodwill store... brand new still in the original manufacturer's wrapping. vanilla scented, for $4. each. the store had a shelf full, but being the frugal skeptic i am, and added to the fact that "you just never know if what you buy at thrift stores actually work," i tossed just two in my cart. could i kick myself, with my cowboy boots, now that i discovered how awesomely-terrific these are? you betcha, santa. and get this... mine even have a subtle vanilla scent, lingering out of the fake flame. smells just like sugar cookies baking in my kitchen. cozy.

i do prefer real candles, don't misunderstand. but, my better-half has insane allergies and he breaks out in a hysterical fever, knowing the flame is leaving black marks on our really clean walls, ceilings and cupboards. yes, even soy candles leave a film. problem solved: flameless candles.

thanks santa.

p.s. any color will do.

smile, wink, nod.

2011-12-08T04:59:00.000-08:00

it's been awhile since i've plugged into a book, that made me nose-dive into the pages. this book has done that. i just love books that require a better understanding of different cultures, history and thought-provoking issues. this book is taking me into uncharted territories of the congo/zaire and political turmoil in africa.

another book that is captivating me is, the autobiography of chuck yeager. it's actually my son's, but i'm reading it as well, so i can pop quiz him on comprehension. wink.
it is just a really good book.... about his active role in ww2 and being on the run from germany and italy. on a bike, no less.

so, what are you reading?
smile, wink, nod.

2011-12-05T04:32:00.000-08:00

okay, first things first.

this wasn't my big, brilliant, gem of an idea.

i found it somewhere in the all-too-consuming land of pintrest.

i had to use a really scrumptious gluten-free recipe, but if you're not GF, just use your regular recipe.....

are you ready for this?

when the dough is ready to pour in the pans.... chop up pieces of REESES PEANUT BUTTER CUPS and gently mix in the batter.

the taste of banana, chocolate and peanut butter... served warm is insane. especially, for the celiac patient, who cannot eat just anything they want. wink.

you could probably do the exact same thing with muffins.

happy monday, friends!

frugal potato's

2011-12-04T02:53:00.000-08:00

let's make the most of potato's!

we had a good little crop this past fall. one thing i enjoy making, freezing and having on hand for busy days is....

you guessed it, twice-baked potatoes.

for some odd reason, i over stuff the potato and always have tons of the scooped out skins left.

i know.... such an issue to have... smile, wink.

so, it occurred to me (light bulb moment).... why? just why oh why, don't i make potato skins and freeze them with the leftover skins, instead of tossing the waste out?

and i did. i stuffed them full of cheese and chopped scallions and crumbled bacon. and i baked a small plate, just to make sure they were.... well, good.

and they were good. they were great.

they never made it to the freezer.

smile, wink, nod.

2011-12-01T19:52:00.000-08:00

has it really been 35 years since this hot pink, floral scented, wide balled, roll-on deodorant sat on my bedroom dresser? not surprising, but, i forgot about this cheerful, little gem. how about you?
does this bring back memories for you?
betcha it will, if you were a child in the 70's.
smile, wink, nod.

2011-11-30T19:18:00.000-08:00

zoey-ella

(NOTE: SNOWBALLS STUCK ON HER FUR)

zoey's sister, chloe-ella

(NOTE: SNOWBALLS STUCK IN HER FUR)

during the night, we received our first, fresh snow.

not a lot, but just enough to make things pretty and fun.

during homeschool break today, tommy took the dogs out to run around. and around. and around. the dogs delighted in the snow so much, that the snowballs stuck to their fur, making it difficult for them to walk... hence, they had to be carried in one-by-one, to a warm waiting bubble bath!

--------------

our christmas trees are up. lights are plugged in.

the house is decorated... and clean.

however, preparing gluten-free dinner on a busy day is next to impossible. that's why egg beaters and hash browns and homemade canned pears, are a staple at our house.

do tell, what are some quick busy day meals that you can throw together on a whim?
smile, wink, nod.

organized chaos!

2011-11-29T18:27:00.000-08:00

found:
this free printable organizer, on pintrest. would it surprise you to know that, i'm not organized whatsoever. i don't make lists. most phone numbers are either written on my hand or i memorize them or they get stashed in my out-of-date address book from the 1980's. gosh, come to think of it... i don't even keep a calendar. pretty crazy, ugh? and a grocery list? nada-chance. but, i'm thinking.... a printable list like this one, might be fun to try? i especially like the hydrate reminder. okay, the fitness section, would be really helpful, too.

oh and a wrist watch? i don't wear one of those, either.

feel free to copy, paste and print this list, for your own good use. smile, wink, nod!

2011-11-27T17:04:00.000-08:00

this year in michigan, it was an exceptional year for apples.

i made a bazillion batches of applesauce.. but, i just couldn't ignore the rest of our crimson apples, dangling off our apple trees... going to waste.

so, with bucket in hand, we came up with a 5-gallon bucket full and put them to good use.

i ended up putting up about a dozen quarts of homemade apple pie filling.

apple pie filling... it's a good thing!

smile, wink, nod!

p.s. jamie... hope you had a nice thanksgiving, too!

2011-11-26T06:06:00.000-08:00

this is....

what happens when...........

you forget to unplug.

seriously, i can't believe i did this.

i'm pretty neurotic when it comes to safety.

i check. i re-check, and then i wonder if i really did re-check, so i re-check again. i do that with locking doors. turning ovens off. coffee pots and lights.

i'm even on-the-edge, about leaving home with the dishwasher, washer and dryer and crockpot on.

so, how did this happen?

i'm simply......... clueless.

2011-11-22T17:26:00.000-08:00

-haPPy THanKsgiviNg-

this photo... courtesy of awkward family photos.

have you been to the site?

it's a great place to visit, if you need a giggle or a walk down memory lane!

here's the link: photos

2011-11-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

this morning, i'm jumping in here to share this fantastic post, that my bloggy-friend Mitzi wrote. i think you too, will give her a standing ovation! click here: made in china

2011-11-17T04:22:00.000-08:00

did i tell you, my mom bought the sister to our puppy, zoey?

well, she did. and she named hers chloe.

recently, we had a high-energy-week-long- fun... puppy-sitting for her.

i never get tired of watching the rowdy puppy play! rolling, tumbling and loving!

wink!

2011-11-13T17:31:00.000-08:00

what's new on the home front?

the past three days, i've immensely enjoyed working at two different chippy-vintage shops. they're small stores... mom and pop-type... which is a good fit for me. corporate and all the rules that follow, is and could be the death of me. at the two shops i work at, i work alone, unless my cousin robin comes in to help out. and both owners allow me to take my son and his load of homeschooling with us. on those days... schooling is basic. truth is, i feel at 13, he's getting a better education in the retail world. also known as: the real world. wink. he's getting a first hand view of dealing with the public and some of their outrageous remarks and actions, money and profit, cleaning and helping customers by carrying heavy packages to their cars and loading antique furniture for them. which is his favorite part.

today, i had a booth at our local flea market. it's such a dump. but, i really enjoy the cheap-deals and free-perks. plus, i'm enjoying the very unusual friendships that i'm developing. flea markets seem to attrack a myriad of colorful (i'm using a nice adjective, here) personalities. a lot of my time is spent, wondering why the good Lord put them in my path?

i love pondering things like that.

i had a customer today, who shared his opinion on right-winged, conservative christians. out of no where, he felt he should lend me his thoughts. i listened. but then, i defended my faith and political views, and it was a divine feeling.

well, my feet are throbbing, from the past four days of work. my eyelids are heavy.. and i'm going to wiggle down under my blanket, here on the couch.

sweet sunday night to you, my friends.

recycled wednesday

2011-11-09T17:15:00.000-08:00

at the thrift shop...............

i found a lampshade.

i found a lamp base.

i found an old skirt.

i found some white boas.

i found vintage earrings.

i found some scrap fringe.

and then i plugged my hot glue gun in.

i tore apart the skirt and only used the lace ... it originally had a lining in it. then, i hot glued vintage earrings randomly. and added fringe and boas. the entire project took about 45 minutes. quick!

i'm totally adore the delphinium flowers on the lamp base. but, since i've been junking and re-selling... i've quickly learned not to fall in love with anything. everything is for sale.

this will head to one of my venues this week.

with a healthy price tag.

if it doesn't sell....... i will just have to bring it home.

which won't break my heart.

smile, wink, nod.

2011-11-08T05:07:00.000-08:00

let's be real here....a freshly plucked-up garden potato is in a league all of it's own. hand's down, no comparison to grocery store potatoes.

this wasn't a terrific year for our potatoes. oh sure, we have a wheel-barrow full. and i've baked and froze up bags of oven fries. but, i don't have all that many to can, like i did last year.

yesterday, i did whip up a few batches of potato-leek soup, to freeze. i had quite a good crop of leeks and garlic, this year... naturally, i took advantage of those gems! wink.

one of my favorite smells? sauteeing' garlic, butter and leeks.

before i connect you with the recipe, i want to share, that i don't add milk before i freeze it... (i add when i prepare it) and i also toss in a good sprinkle or two of caraway seeds!

the recipe for this cheap, comfort food is here!

thrift store shoes!

2011-11-06T13:47:00.000-08:00

i got a new pair of wing tips!

black and white.

salvation army

$8.

brand new.

happy me.

happy feet!

smile, wink, nod!

2011-11-03T19:55:00.000-07:00

because i have adult ADHD (self-diagnosed)... i enjoy really super quick projects. 30 minutes and under is ideal for a chicka like me. then i can move on to the next.... and the next.

okay, so this one is the bomb....

it's homemade body scrub.

it's made in like 3 minutes or less.

first i mixed up a batch of pumpkin pie spice body scrub.

.......then i whipped up a big batch of lemon scrub.

you're suppose to seal them in an air tight, type canning jar... which i did, however, i was just too lazy to take a snap of the finished projects.

would you like the recipe?
i kind of thought so.... follow this:

2 1/2 cups of white sugar

4 Tablespoons of vegetable oil or evoo.

essential oils to your liking

for pumpkin pie scrub...

i just omitted the essential oils and added pumpkin pie spice.

wouldn't this make a wonderful gift?
in a pretty jar with maybe a vintage spoon or scoop attached?

wink.

virus and chest colds!

2011-11-02T17:43:00.000-07:00

well now... it sure does feel good to be back!

my computer has been in the shop, with a nasty virus.

the computer is all better...

but we humans, are battling chest colds.

needless to say, we spent halloween night being less

active then normal. we went to my mom's for bakes spaghetti dinner, a few tough games of euchre and passed out candy to 89 trick or treaters... yes, she keeps a tally!

so my loyal's... as i lay here on the couch in my salvation army flannel pajama's (the pair that is dotted with pictures of chocolate candy), i must pull myself together and pop a couple of nighttime cold pills and get ready to slither down under the quilt to watch my very favorite t.v. show... modern family.

i will be back very soon!

hope you are all feeling well.

smile, wink, nod.

2011-10-25T16:33:00.000-07:00

meet our new family member.....

zoEy-ELla.

she has certainly spiced up our lives.

my mom fell head-over-heels in love with her..

so last night, she went and purchased zoeY's sister.

she named her chLOe.

get it?

chlOe and zoEy.

they look like twins.

happy tuesday night...

i'm watching the duggar's.

the only christian-themed show on prime time.

2011-10-24T16:34:00.000-07:00

well of course you have to remember the birds this fall. and, so i freshened up our patio-bird habitat, with pumpkins and peanut butter smothered bagels!

the birds are loving it and we're loving the free entertainment!

time to pull out the pumpkin seeds from our oven and pour a glass of cider!

CHECK BACK TOMORROW... AND I'LL SHOW YOU OUR NEW PUPPY... ZOeY eLla.

2011-10-23T18:30:00.000-07:00

just popping in here, late sunday night to show you the latest hippy-dolls, that i recycled.

i made both, from 100% recycled material and bling.

i've had really swell luck, selling them.

$20.

finger's crossed.. these girls will be a quick flip, too!

can you see the vintage beaded earrings?

happy sunday night!

smile, wink, nod.

2011-10-22T16:12:00.000-07:00

flea market find!

on my kitchen window sill, you would find....

this banged-up-seen-better-days head vase.

there's a chip right down in front... sort of near the cleavage. i plan to epoxy a vintage rhinestone to it.

i know it's worth nothing. it cost me just as much.

but, she makes me happy.

and that's what it's all about!

what's on your kitchen windowsill?

(hi jamie.. thank you for always leaving such pleasant comments. i appreciate the time you and other commenter's take!)

2011-10-20T04:42:00.000-07:00

i just can't stop reading this book!

a product of the public school system myself... i learned thismuch about history. if anything at all. i'm dead serious. as an adult, i find myself pretty passionate about the topic. books like this, break the past down simply and with much flavor!

this book is juicy and thought-provoking.

get your hands on a copy!
it's a quick read.

wink.

2011-10-18T18:14:00.000-07:00

dinner: homemade turnip-onion-rice soup

movie: the girl with the dragon tattoo

wearing: pink polar fleece pull-over

and paper-doll print pajama bottoms

crafting: vintage jewelry

recent retail purchase from walmart: rhinestone hair clips and movie star mascara

sweet tooth snack: sugar wafer cookies

last in the garden: carrots, potato's, leeks, apples, turnips and beets

can't wait until friday!

the day we bring our new puppy "zoe-ella" home!

changes, addictions and dinner.

2011-10-14T19:31:00.000-07:00

my new addiction.

on-line scabble on pogo.

join.

then we can play together!

other things on friday:

gluten-free cashew chicken for dinner... excellent and thank god for leftovers!

rainy. windy. barely a leaf left on our trees.

seasonal outside street markets are over for the season. which means, i won't have to roll out of bed, insert a drip caffeine i.v. into my arm and drive in the wee hours for set-ups.

my work at the mansion is gearing up for the holiday season... i missed working there this summer. thankfully, the owners really work with me and permit me to take time off when i need it.

one week from today... we get our new puppy.

zoey. but we're calling her zoey-ella.

say it fast.

zoey-ella.

has a good ring to it, don't you think?

i'm thinking of doing live blog-casts. now and then.

what do you think? i mean, the louis armstrong music would have to go. but it's time for that anyway.

so, my faithful blog readers.... watch and see... sometime soon... i'll be talking to you live. well, kind of.

wink.

2011-10-09T09:43:00.000-07:00

two friday's a month, i teach an art class.

i thought you might like to take a peak at the artwork, the students did.

"Styrofoam head art"

when finished, i required the students to adorn their parents car antenna's with their art projects! without hesitating, the students ran at my demand, wink.

and , oh.... i am ever so demanding. 'nother wink.

the parking lot, looked like a field of metal and art heads.

it was a grand sight to see, indeed!~

i am more then impressed, with this project.

13 students. completed projects. listening to johnny cash church hymn's, all in less then an hour.

exhale.

2011-10-07T18:32:00.000-07:00

friday night.

bbq chicken on the grill.

oven fries.

flopped on the couch..

immensely enjoying the movie,

"walk the line."

what a love story.

smile, wink, nod.

2011-10-05T18:04:00.000-07:00

wordless wednesday.

2011-10-02T18:08:00.000-07:00

my mom gave me a kindle for my birthday.

how nice is that? wink.

tonight, i downloaded my first free book, "maid to match." i am so dog-gone passionate about mansions, estates and castles... that this should be a good read for me. smile. i've posted a little blurb about the book below....

From the day she arrives at the Biltmore, Tillie Reese is dazzled--by the riches of the Vanderbilts and by Mack Danvers, a mountain man turned footman. When Tillie is enlisted to help tame Mack's rugged behavior by tutoring him in the ways of refined society, the resulting sparks threaten Tillie's efforts to be chosen as Edith Vanderbilt's lady's maid. But the stakes rise even higher when Mack and Tillie become entangled in a cover-up at the town orphanage. They could both lose their jobs...and their hearts.

oh, and i'm still struggling through the literary and potato peel society... i humbly admit, for me... it's a tough book to follow.

by the way, if you or someone you know has a kindle... check out my sidebar, off to the right.... there is a link to free kindle books.

happy reading!

2011-09-26T04:45:00.000-07:00

do you have a carbon monoxide detector?

thankfully, we do.

and it saved my life yesterday.

while canning more spaghetti sauce, i got busy with my aunt on the phone... chatting in detail and at great lengths. i was stretched out on the couch, chatting away... while the canning pots on the gas range heated up. or so i thought.

i heard an alarm. thought it was our smoke detector. didn't smell smoke, and continued chatting, thinking it was probably our battery dying out. it continued to beep.

after a significant amount of time... i couldn't take the beeping and discovered it was our carbon monoxide detector, screaming relentlessly to me. and warning me to get fresh air.

did that.

and probably explains the faint headache i acquired.

i sure would of been mad, if i died on my birthday.

smile, wink, nod.

zoey!

2011-09-19T18:35:00.000-07:00

look who's getting a new puppy!

cartwheels and back flips!

we are!

4:00 sunday, found us at our breeder's, choosing and meeting our new lhasa apso!

it was a super tough decision. i mean seriously... how can one be any cuter then the other?

the determining factor, was the one little female, who kept crawling and loving on my son, tommie.

if i had a mansion and a wheel barrow full of money... they'd all be mine!

we named her: zoey

she'll be coming home at the end of october.

she needs to be with her mom until 9 weeks of age.

i love her.

waiting for me all along........

2011-09-17T17:02:00.000-07:00

today, while working at a farmer's market in the thumb of michigan..., hold up your right hand, palm facing you... and look at the very center tip of your thumb. that's exactly where i was, today.

while there, i was talking to a lovely lady who was telling me about this "just absolutely wonderful book!" she went on an on... picture her little arms flying with details about it... and her sister, nodding, feverishly in agreement... inserting comments like, "it's really good or you should read it!!" both shuffled away.... reiterating, "the Guernsey literary and the potato peel society!"

i was being kind enough... promised that i'd try to get my hands on it... and honestly thought, there is no way, i'll remember a title like that~

i didn't think about the conversation again.
at all.

4 hours later, en route home, i decided to stop off at this pathetic little thrift shop, which never, ever has anything, remotely exciting. well, unless you count old hair curlers, house dresses, and bullet-proof polyester pull-on kelly green dress slacks and donated hospital socks, that God only knows the story behind those!

after vowing never to stop at the dive again, i found myself clicking the lock on my car twice not once and sauntered inside.

betcha know where this story is going, right?

between a stack of reader's digest hardcovers, with no jacket covers, there it was.
waiting for me.
smiling at me.

the Guernsey literary and potato peel society.
in paperback.
.55 cents.

i smiled.

it rode home next to me, in the passenger's seat.

coincidence? i think not.

smile, wink, nod.

2011-09-14T16:11:00.000-07:00

i found a really good deal on sky lanterns!

so, i stocked up.

we've launched a couple of these beauties!

and, beautiful, they are!

hot pink and vibrant orange!

very soon, we'll be having a homeschool teen night in our backyard... and i plan to launch, another.

don't you think the kids will love it?

me, too!

wink.

look who came to visit!

2011-09-13T16:21:00.000-07:00

just like clockwork, every september.... we have a family of sandhill cranes who take up residence in our backyard! they'll be here until the end of october!

they've arrived two weeks and one day earlier, then last year. i wonder if they're just happy to be back in our yard or do they know we're in for an early winter?

which by the way... it's woolly bear mania, at our home.

such a spectacular sight... sandhill crane's in flight!

have you ever heard the sound a sandhill crane makes? distinct, that's for sure.

click here: sand hill crane voice!

*************

today, i was able to preserve 4 pints of raspberry-honey jam!

beeee-bopping home, happily!

2011-09-11T18:04:00.000-07:00

well now, what do you think my answer was, when a family friend called and told me to "come and pick her pears?"

a resounding.... yes!

beeee-bopping home happily, with 10 gallons of those little gems... i prepared and canned them.

we like light syrup the best.

this was an all day project.

but one things for sure, i know we will be satisfied, once the snow flies and we pop off the lid!

i appreciate this blessing!

what sort of things have you been blessed with lately?

2011-09-04T05:17:00.000-07:00

friday, found me saying... "okay, sure... i'll come over and pick wild grapes to make jelly," to my friend, melanie.

first of all and most importantly... welch's jelly has nothing on us, self-sustaining chicks!

even if it was the hottest day of the year... we trudged down the dirt road (me in my wellington's... because i'm afraid of snakes and in my mind, i think wellie's protect me better!!), dove in the thick bramble and picked.

i of course, wasn't as brave and adventurous as melanie... i sort of kind of stayed on the dirt road and she would toss the wild vines to me... and i gingerly plucked them.

it was a beautiful way to spend a friday.

thanks be to god, for good friends and natural resources~

smile, wink, nod.

p.s. no pictures of the jelly... it was still being processed, when i left.

2011-08-31T06:59:00.000-07:00

it's rednesday!

so, i've been wanting to play along on: it's a very cherry world... and today i am!

what's new in my world: red?!

a new-to-me pair of red leather mary jane's! found at the thrift shop. $6. did i ever tell you how much i love mary janes? well, i'm telling you now sisters...

i adore them!

yesterday, i canned strawberry-honey syrup.

the recipe called for sugar. i played detective, and figured out how to replace sugar with honey.

hence, the name: strawberry-honey syrup.

my kitchen smelled heavenly.

with brad being celiac... we eat a lot of pancakes, won't this topping add a smile, when the snow flies?

cutest blog i've seen in a real long time?

it's a very cherry world.

click on the name and enjoy!

smile, wink, nod!

2011-08-25T19:20:00.000-07:00

"i'll just sew a little hippy-pillow." said i, to my kale, chard, cabbage: both green and purple, and my garlic that needs plucked and processed. they nodded and agreed to stay grounded. with orange handled scissors in hand, i gingerly started chopping up fabrics... sewing recycled cloth into personality. i even ~~hummed~~ sang grateful dead's, touch of grey... real low, under my breath!
smile, wink, nod!

2011-08-24T18:00:00.000-07:00

got it! one of them anyway.

a pesky star-nosed mole.

they really love trudging under our lawn.

every year.

all summer.

as ugly as they are... their fur looks kind of soft, don't you think?

also caught on sunday morning via a trap in our sweet corn? a mama possum who gave birth... while in the live trap. tommie saw that something was in the trap... noticed it was a possum, grabbed his gun and came back in the house...."awe, you guys, i can't shoot a mama and her babies." he and brad released the critters in the woods, on a desolate road.

so much for sunday dinner!

wink.

2011-08-23T19:07:00.000-07:00

Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long.

We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we're curious.....And curiosity keeps leading us down new paths!

-Walt Disney

have i ever shared this with you?

it's one of my very favorite quotes!

2011-08-16T12:51:00.000-07:00

bright and early this morning, i gathered the ingredients for canning herb jelly. i decided on basil-dill. i used the recipe from the can-can canning book, my mom gave me. hence, no link for the recipe. i did a quick google for you, and there are a million different links. while searching, i did find this site, which looked fun and friendly: prairieland herbs .

i'm in the middle of canning green beans... two jars blew up (cracked!). it happens, right?

tonight, we'll be dining on homegrown sweet corn! bring on the butter!

wink.

2011-08-15T16:08:00.000-07:00

since i've been spending so much time in the car, traveling to different street markets... i decided to climb our library steps, saunter down the audio book aisle and scan the shelves. i checked out four titles. the first audio i listened to is this one, "the handmaid and the carpenter." the story is fabulous! very, very sweet. when disc one ended, i excitedly popped the second disc into the player, chomping at the bit... i could hardly wait to continue. and then it happened. skip, skip, SKIP, skip, skip, skip, skip, skip! what's a girl to do? well, i popped the third disc in, and enjoyed that one, just as much! if you get a chance... borrow this from the library! hopefully you'll have better luck with disc two, then i did. wink.

2011-08-14T17:51:00.000-07:00

this morning, i quickly (and i mean quickly), canned honey mustard. i've never canned it before... but it sounded easy enough. i doubled the recipe. my kitchen smelled like a mustard factory. meanwhile, my mind was drifting into the thought of dipping a hot pretzel into the mustard. that said, i'll not only use this as chicken or ham marinade, but i'll probably have to invest in a box of frozen pretzel's to fill my salty-sour craving! here's the recipe:

honey mustard

2011-08-13T17:30:00.000-07:00

looking back over my week:

canned beets

processed dill pesto

bought organic lavender and parsley

received 2 dozen free ears of home-grown corn

received a free jumbo cantaloupe and yellow plums

watched, girl with the pearl earring (dark!)

meeting with homeschool moms

3 farmer's market's

bump and run at the fair with the boys

homeschool curriculum came in the mail

had a rhinestone feather installed in my hair

a trip to the mall and to the hollister store

thunderstorms as we speak

froze cabbage and onions

waiting to hear about the birth of our new puppy

hope you have a happy weekend!

2011-08-09T17:04:00.000-07:00

suddenly, my 13 year old son has taken an interest in his appearance. the clothes now, are important. smothering his face with clearasol and sea breeze and checking every half hour to see if he has whiskers. he's also into bench pressing and bmx biking and then there's this punching bag, he whacks around on the deck... (best $8. i ever spent on him! salvation army treasure.)

oh, and, he found the youtube video for "our" abs, (see first pic)... he asked me to do this with him... why? i'm clearly confused. but, i happily accepted his invitation. i hate exercising. mostly, because there are a bazillion other things i could be doing! but c'mon... it's six minutes well spent on my mid-life tummy and six minutes of quality time with my boy. a 2 for 1, right?

smile, wink, nod.

2011-08-08T18:49:00.000-07:00

this little piggy (me) has been making hay while the sun shines! working street markets and canning! for the first time ever, i canned dill relish! i also pressure canned green beans... more canning those, tomorrow. my beets are ready, too. this winter, they'll be like sparkling rubies, on my salad. a gem!

i treated myself with the "three little piggy" flower vase... in the first picture. it was $5. at a local vintage shop. i love the three little pigs and the moral of the story!

i also have this little squirrel flower vase (above), which my mom gave me.

both vases reside on my kitchen windowsill and make me smile, when i'm putting up the harvest... i feel

just like the pig who built his home on a strong foundation and my squirrel inspires me to stash food away for the long winter.

wink.

and wink.

2011-08-02T18:09:00.000-07:00

daybook:

current mood: sleepy and unsettled.

outside: rainy, warm and nice.

wearing: grey peace sign tank top and mint green skirt with matching toiling. two toe rings. two ankle braclets. cat-eye reading glasses.

in the kitchen: sweet pickles canned and popping. fresh strawberries and cherries. the cherries aren't too terrific, but the strawberries are scrumptious.

in the garden: black-eyed susan's, queen anne's lace, green beans and kale, waiting to be processed.

tunes: southern gospel

something new: a punching bag for tommie, who is pretending he's joe louis.

something yummy: frozen twix candy bars.

greatful for: my free gas card that came in the mail, and, laura's lean hamburger on sale $2. off.

pet peeve: when i'm pumping gas and the handle-squeeze-lever keeps going: click, click, click and won't stay put. ugh!

looking ahead for the week: markets, canning, markets, canning.

dream: to own this pink retro trailer house and have my studio there. what a dream.

smile, wink, nod.

2011-08-01T04:37:00.000-07:00

overwelmed!

that's what's new with me..

i'll be back in a snap, with more updates!

see you then!

2011-07-26T18:05:00.000-07:00

some blog entries just don't need any words. except........ooooh-la-la!

so... i sewed!

2011-07-25T19:34:00.000-07:00

i think i can do that, said i... as i read the instructions on how to sew a 10-minute apron, using a pillow case.

sew, or rather so.... i've been keeping my eyes peeled for cheap, pretty, funky pillowcases. and ribbon, to be used as the tie-backs!

my aprons are not sewn well. i'm a super-novice... but determined and i enjoy trying. i couldn't sell them. i couldn't even give them as gifts... unless you count my mom, because a mom loves anything you make! sew, i just decided to keep them all. all five for myself, to wear at markets, where i work. of course, wearing one in the garden might be convenient, too?

this one is my favorite! of course, because it's green striped and faux pink fur. it's made from a flannel pillowcase. and i added an extra pocket. see how good i'm getting??? i'm brave enough to sew an extra pocket! wink.

so my girlfriends... here is the divine blog site, in which i got the instructions from:

10-minute pillow case apron!

siLLy SUndaY...

2011-07-24T18:49:00.000-07:00

not my idea... played copycat off of someone on flea market gardening (facebook). i loved how this someone displayed black-eyed susan's in a blue vase. truth is, i own nothing blue, except this old crock. so, i said.... what the heck? and used it. i think it looks just peachy, don't you?

a good neighbor friend of mine (also homeschool mom-friend) is in russia this week. she asked me if i'd like to collect her chicken eggs, while she's away. you don't have to ask me twice! big nod. one chicken got loose. chased that darn chick 'round and 'round her yard... like my pants were on fire! grabbed the poker and thought i killed the thing. didn't... but, was wondering.......... what's your favorite bbq sauce?!

took a bike ride tonight. my oh my... my legs are looking milky. try not and notice, but my outfit, totally does not match. it was just one of those, "hey-mom, let's-go-for-a-bike-ride-right-now!" moments.

a snip there and a snip here and eventually, i gathered a bundle of oregano to dry. actually, it's close to already being dried. we've had no rain in what seems like forever... hence, the oregano was screaming to be used, before it's premature death.

i hope you had a silly sunday, too.

smile, wink, nod.

2011-07-22T19:05:00.000-07:00

just like a little squirrel, stocking up for winter....

i threw together a dozen or so freezer-stir fry lunches. hot lettuce salads, to be exact.

here's what i tossed in the bags:

-yellow summer squash

-zucchini

-garlic cloves

-onion and scallions

-a handful of green beans

-one beautiful edible day lilly

-basil and dill

-beet leaves and carrot tops

-lettuce

this winter, i'll thaw and toss my little veggie pack into a frying pan with olive oil, rice and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

hot lettuce salad... it's a good thing.

smile, wink, nod!

2011-07-21T12:05:00.000-07:00

i have a new respect for vanilla beans.

i never thought about it... so i never knew.... vanilla beans come from a wide variety of areas: tonga, madagascar, mexico, tahiti. each vanilla bean comes from an orchid and is pollinated by hand. when the vanilla pod develops, it must be picked by hand and cured for several months. hence, the reason for vanilla beans being so pricey.

when i walked into our local party store, and asked for a bottle of vodka... i was quick to point out to the store clerk... that it was for a recipe. she gave me that, "yeah, sure-it-is, sort of smile." i'm sure she thought i was nuts, when i asked her to compare prices for me. alcohol in this store is behind the counter. i settled on an $8. bottle... and continued to tell her, i was making homemade vanilla. she gave me her best, i-heard-it-all-look. but, i really felt inclined to tell her... i guess i didn't want her to think i was planning to down it.

making vanilla is ridiculously easy.

-slice open a couple of vanilla bean's

-add 1 cup vodka

-store in an airtight container

-store in a dark place

-give it a little shake now and then!

vodka and vanilla beans.... it's a good thing.

wink!

2011-07-19T12:30:00.000-07:00

unintentional clear glass jar obsession!

this summer... i've been picking up clear bottles and jars at yard sales and thrift shops. i haven't done it on purpose. normally, my eyes only see pink and green and the occasional pale yellow. but, hot-diggity dog, there's some cute clear jars to be rescued, reclaimed and most importantly, recycled.

what's inside them? from left to right:

-simple wild carrot, plucked from the field in a hot chocolate bottle.

-a mixture of homey spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and all spice. i picked up a dozen or so cans of used spices at a yard sale... then, came home and mixed them all together... capped them in the jar and will use for a cozy kitchen smell, this fall and winter. (i'll just boil a tablespoon or so, w/ a little water on top of our stove and let the aroma linger.)

- just a big, old jar with plastic wrap and holes poked in it. it's home to a monarch chrysalis... who is just days away from busting out of his cocoon.

- two bottles of homemade oregano vinegar and one bottle of basil vinegar.

-a glass teddy bear jar with another field-plucked wild carrot.

have you been thrifting, lately? what treasures have you found?

2011-07-18T19:05:00.000-07:00

a friend of mine.. suddenly took on a new garden art hobby.... using bowling balls! i put my request in for pink. my favorite color. thanks g.w.... the artwork resides under a bed of day lillies and weathered iris'.

since, i was snapping pics outside... i thought i'd share some of our gardens.... note: we didn't plant ANYTHING in our gardens until the first week in june. we are thrilled, at the progress the gardens made.

glory to God.

above... a couple of our raspberry patches.

check out the right side of this picture... about half way down... do you see the butterfly posing mid-air? it's a monarch. he is so photogenic, don't you think?

smile, wink, nod.

2011-07-16T04:47:00.000-07:00

since, working at street markets this summer, i've noticed a movement in trendy bikes.

i love this.

many bikes i see, are being repurposed. i humbly admit... i tried to repurpose mine, by decoupaging it. that was a nightmare. it was so awful... that i quickly pulled the paper off and scrubbed the bike clean. not to mention... it took forever to cover. okay, where am i going with this? back to my post....

i love the homemade color... vintage pink of the bike above. do you?

and this one, is seriously brilliant! i had to ask... it is from Thailand or was it Taiwan? anyway... how perfect. holds everything... even a spot for a baby car seat... that you can actually look down and see your sweetie-pie, facing you! i would of loved this! so much storage space, too!

check out my sidebar... i've added some new and grooviliscious blogs to my sidebar! i think you'll like them!

wink.

2011-07-13T19:10:00.000-07:00

wordless wednesday!

pretty summer side-dish!

2011-07-11T17:15:00.000-07:00

we've all seen it.. even tasted it.... pineapple ambrosia! but, it's even better, when you serve it in an old english teacup and use this healthy recipe:

1 can of pineapple in it's own juice-drained and mandarin oranges the same way... 1 cup of tropical yogurt (i used strawberry.... that's all i had!) 3 cups of mini marshmallows and 1/2 c. shredded coconut. gently mix. refrigerate until cold. serve in something pretty.....(very, very important! wink). leftovers, okay in fridge for two days.

2011-07-10T05:34:00.000-07:00

yesterday, we had a family bbq hollywood-style... in honor of my cousin aaron, who was in town (very briefly)... from nyu film school/tisch. he is a brilliant writer and is currently getting ready to film and direct a festival movie (the kind they show at cannes, etc.) out on cape cod. unfortunately, i declined the part he wrote especially for me... i mean look, i am just way to busy working street markets and garage sailing to participate. you'll be happy to know, madonna wasn't busy, and was willing to take my part!

i purposely forgot to bring whip cream for the homemade gluten-free blueberry cobbler, that i made. so acting like middle-aged high school girls... we climbed in the car and went to the local kroger store.

it was more of a "get noticed and look at us" adventure. i planned this, because i knew we wouldn't know anyone. not to mention, it was a blast!

aunt janet came dressed as hedy lemarr.

her husband came as desi arnez.

both such good sports!

check out these beautiful potted flowers, that my cousin put together. breath-taking!

my cousin carey grant... who is a financing major, atlas shrugged genius and is right on the mark with economics and government (he's who i go to for government, economic and political advice and words i don't know how to pronounce!), he made eggrolls. love that boy... he never gets tired of my ignorant questions (at least i think he doesn't.)

his mom is to the left and aaron the up and coming director... next to her.

my cousin (brag: doctor, breast cancer survivor, bird-ology guru and wildly creative) and i entertained the family, by making big bubbles. not all families are as talented as us....bubbles have a mind of their own. just like my 13 year old son.

all of the tattoo's i wore, were fake. found them at the dollar store. tommie wrote, lady gaga... on my back.

lady gaga taking a break... note the natural-i-don't-know you're-taking-my-picture pose. truth is... i overdosed on potato salad and couldn't move.

my aunt joyce as laverne, steve martin, conehead, me and george clooney.

our friend lou who came as a cher groupie.

my mom a.k.a marilyn monroe and my uncle bill, share a deep conversation! wonder what it was about?!

really bad blurry picture... but i stuck it in here anyway. my second dad, came as john wayne... cowboy boots, big buckle and cowboy hat.

hope you enjoyed our hollywood bbq party.

we are so very blessed to be together and make happy memories. i love my family so much, that i get a lump in my throat.

2011-07-09T05:01:00.000-07:00

on a dark, spring day, i stopped at an estate-type yard sale. off the beaten track, on a lonely country road. looking down and looking down again... i opened an old musty box to find.... a pile of better homes and gardens (1940's) magazines... for a dollar each.
seriously now, do i even need to tell you how fast i snatched these up?

there are a bazillion adorable, vintage ads, like these....

i'm not exactly sure, what i should do with them? frame them, i'm thinking. in a banged up old frame.

what would you do?

you're welcome to cut and paste and print and use these images... i'd love to hear what you plan to do with them!

smile, wink, nod.

2011-07-07T05:24:00.000-07:00

can't get any easier or any cheaper then this...

i had this lacy-type tin tray... which i adored... but didn't adore the rust marks... so, when i spotted this mirror, at local goodwill.... (4 quarters) !

i (badda-bing!) had a plan....

a two-second glue job and viola' ...

a new piece to hang on my wall-of-mirrors!

do tell............ what have you upcylced, lately?

2011-07-04T06:31:00.000-07:00

happy birthday, america!

we love you!

(picture taken off my mom's boat.. hence, on the water!)

GaRdEn Art (letter A)

2011-07-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

garden artwork!

this sunday afternoon, found me in my white rocking chair, under the apple tree... using my hands to create this "tea time" wind-chime!

it's sort of cute here, but in real life, it's very cute!

i found a bag of tea tins, at local goodwill, for .99 cents. the colander for a quarter and i already had glass beads in my junk cupboard.

yesterday, i found a bag of these (above) spice tins... a dime a piece, at a garage sale, 'round the corner.

can you guess, what i'll be doing with them?

smile, wink, nod.

2011-07-01T19:34:00.000-07:00

i'm up for an "abc" blog challenge... so, starting tomorrow, july 2nd, i'll begin 26-day's of "all things garden!" have a garden girlfriend? invite her, along! for tonight though, let me share this fantaubulous piece of the web! click here... flea market garden!

tune in tomorrow, for the letter, A."

2011-06-29T05:19:00.000-07:00

sweet baby jane... would you look at what's made in america?

cupcake paper inserts!

has it really come down to this? you know, when we do a double-take (or triple) when we see

"made in the u.s.a." in print?

my eyes grew big and bigger yet.. i reached for my camera... i read those RARE words: made in u.s.a.

thanks, betty crocker... for keeping the baking industry-related jobs.. in the united states!

here's a list of more betty crocker products made on our good old american soil:

betty crocker.. made in america!

2011-06-27T18:13:00.000-07:00

there honestly is nothing better then a homegrown juicy, drip down your chin, sweet strawberry.

this is our first year, growing them.

my man (pictured in the third photo) planted 50 plants.

we don't have a high-yield of them just yet.. (afterall, it is their fist year in our soil) ...

however, there is just enough to pluck off the plant, pop the whole thing in your mouth and skip around the field... singing...

tra-la-la-la-la with.

well, it's actually me who skips around the field, barefoot and singing way off key.

smile, wink, nod.

and tra-la-la-la-la.

little hot pink shoes!

2011-06-26T18:55:00.000-07:00

i lost consciousness, when i spotted these sweet babies at a local thrift shop. inhaling and exhaling--only long enough to ask the clerk to see them, for they were positioned perfectly and out of reach behind the counter.... you know... where all the high-end, haughty-taughty, not your everyday pricey merchandise is. she joyfully said, yes. yes indeed, i could.

my blue eyes spotted the label. although i am not label driven. i did smile when i saw they were diesels. i smiled even more.. looking and feeling the hot pink satin fabric. with a chinese flavor. well made.

carefully, i searched the size. my heart beating stronger... faster. biting my bottom lip and remembering to fully exhale... i slipped on the right one. nice. then the left. dreamy. soft.. much like an uncooked marshmallow. squishy. only not sticky. no, in fact.. they were very clean.

clean used shoes. and they were in my future.

i'll be honest here. it was the end of a double market day for me. i had been on the pavement, braving the elements of the weather, since 6 am.. the thrift store clock said 9:30. i don't need to tell you, that i looked a little rough. okay, a lot rough. i must of had a slight whine to my voice, when i said, "$15." because the plucky clerk, quickly interjected... "oh, but they're 33% off, tonight."

i exhaled and smiled.

as i drove north.. homeward bound, with my locks blowing in the wind.. and carly simon's c.d. playing full blast, i fell even more in love, with my little hot pink shoes sitting beside me on the passenger's seat.

i'm not sure if i was just tired... but, i'm believe i heard the little hot pink shoes look over and whisper, "thank-you."

smile, wink, nod.

2011-06-24T19:18:00.000-07:00

getting personal friday!

things i use everyday....

black eyeliner pencil
auburn lip liner pencil
estee' lauder heavy duty concealer
big fat little brush
aussie conditioner
garnier xxl mousse
aramis (i don't use it... i just open the lid and inhale... smells just like my dad! a.k.a. hug in a bottle!)
sea breeze for sensitive skin
mango-mandarin body lotion
emeraude perfume (i don't wear this... i just open the lid and i can smell my grandma! also known to me as "a hug in a bottle!)
paul mitchell freeze and shine hairspray

so, there you have it... what sort of things can you NOT live without?

2011-06-20T14:38:00.000-07:00

six markets in eight days.

one murder mystery for 20 women.

and one huge bbq party for father's day.

yes-sir-eee...that's how i've been spending the last week or so.

not complaining.

not at all.

i live for this.

i won't exhaust you with the nitty-gritty details...

the pictures speak for themselves:

concluding:

the customers are colorful. the other artists are really enjoyable and the production company is crazy-fun to work with.

smile, wink, nod.

(i've mislplaced my digiital camera... has anyone seen it?)

2011-06-17T06:35:00.000-07:00

i've been picking up old tin's like these, at yard sales and thrift shops... had tommie drill a few holes in the bottom... then i filled them with rich soil.

inhabiting the tins.... basil and oregano.

they've been traveling with me, to different farmer's markets.

the customer's are flipping over them!

$10 and lower, depending on the size.

i keep my herb tin, next to our grill... and when i'm bbq-ing... i toss a few petals in..for good measure and good smell!

this week found me at five different markets. i am beginning to feel like a circus traveler. not that that's a bad thing... i am truly loving the gypsy life. wink.

this week at the markets, i bartered: asparagus and strawberries.

smile.

so, what about anthony wiener resigning?

maybe he should change his last name, while he's at it.

nod.

thumb's up for local farmers!

2011-06-15T04:51:00.000-07:00

this week finds me on the road, attending different farmer market's in the upscale county, due south of us. oh! how i've missed the farmer's market life. there's just something about farmer's and the depth they have. i love their rough-calloused hands, embedded with soil, their farmer's tans i love their work boots. i love their stories. and, their work ethics.

i'm not a fan of NPR radio.. but i do agree with one story that i heard... that farmer's are the smartest people in the world. why? because most are self-educated in:

farm accounting

mechanics

veterinarian

meteorology

electricity

chemistry

building

and more, i'm sure.

if you have the choice, buy from your local farmer or farmer's market. strike up a good conversation and notice their hard-working hands.

i appreciate all they do.

smile, wink, nod.

2011-06-13T18:41:00.000-07:00

i just wrapped up reading the true story, "amish grace." amish i'm not.. but i sure do like their beliefs. thumbs up... find it if you can! i recently found annie jones' , "sisterhood of the queen mama's!" sounds like a really fun summer read...and get this... it's about flea market friends! tonight, i'll slither down under the blankets and get started reading it!

i splurged today... finally got my hands on a three-disc louis armstrong c.d. nothing like classic jazz, a glass of white wine and my patio... at the end of a summer day.

do tell... what book is in your hands right now?

smile, wink, nod.

2011-06-12T16:21:00.000-07:00

i couldn't pass this by!

i found it at our local goodwill for $3.

i'm thinking it will make walks in the rain, even more fun.

plus, it matches my wellingtons.

my heart feels as heavy as a cement block. i'm not sure how many more losses, this old heart can take. i sure did love my lucy.

smile, wink, nod.

2011-06-11T18:25:00.000-07:00

today my dog died in my arms.

she was 17 years old.

i held her as the vet put her at peace.

and kissed her until her final breath.

i loved her and always will.

so long, my best friend.

you were the best.

through my tears.... smile, wink, nod.