Lunch Awesomeness

Look at this delightful looking lunch.  My sister and I went to a weird discount food store yesterday and I got some pretty respectable looking produce.  The buns were fresh and soft - next is the spinach, YELLOW tomato for cheap - and in good shape, avocado and on top some tapenade - also for super cheap.  It was a most delicious lunch.  In fact, it was dinner last night and might be for tonight.

If you are a lucky kind of gal and want to try your luck at winning some fun jewelry for yourself, your daughter or granddaughter, there is a contest over at Pink Peonies - they are choosing 100 winners - Odds might be in our favor!

Favorite things

About six years ago I was in our local  DI - a favorite thrift store in this neck of the woods - and I found a wrought iron bistro set.  What a score!  It was $40 and HEAVY.  It started out being dark green.  A couple of years later during the shabby chic era, I painted it off-white and shabbied (?) it up a bit with black.  Now - today I sprayed it yellow and it looks so much better!  I purchased an umbrella lots of years ago while living in Las Vegas and they are the perfect couple.

Deja vu sadness

Our oldest son and his adorable wife have been trying for several years to have a family.  A couple of years ago they decided to get this "baby" - Cosie (named in behalf of a favorite character in Les Miserables).  She was the object of their love and nurturing.  Unfortunately, this week a freak accident happened that claimed Cosie's life.  We are so saddened by this tragedy and hurt so much for them. 

Backup now 30 years - my hubby and I were trying to have a family with no success.  We got an adorable poodle mix named Cosmo (mascot from my alma mater).  He was the object of all our love and affection.  We had him for a couple of years when an accident happened that took him from us.  I know how they feel and it hurts so much. 

We love you Spencer and Jennie!  Hang in there....

NEW FACE FOR AN OLD PURSE

I was making the rounds at a favorite thrift store a couple of weeks ago and I spotted a name brand summer handbag for $2.  The inside was stained and grody, but the outside was in great shape.  I remembered a post on Sara's blog - Go Gingham where she showed how to redo the inside of a bag.  For two bucks, it was worth it to try venturing into something I hadn't done before.  I am happy with the results. As long as you can take the lining out to use as a pattern, it is pretty much fool-proof.  I even reused the zipper to make a pocket, added a key holder and made a cell phone pocket.  Notice also that I was able to remove the label and reattach it.

                                                       Stained and disgusting inside

                                                         Ahhhh....much nicer!

Stencil, paint, or subliminal messages to my kids?

I had this odd space right next to my french doors leading to our backyard.  It has moulding around it because there was a very large sliding door there at one time.  When we had the french doors put in, they were smaller - hence the need for something to disguise the lack of fit.  Ya, well, anyway - I painted it with chalkboard paint.  Then I have been patiently waiting to win a bid for a CHEAP overhead projector.  SCORE!  I won not one - but four!  Anyone need an overhead projector?  I know someone that has an extra!
                                                           

Merry Christmas to me!!!


So this is my idea -

  Before:

After:

It doesn't look like anything really - but up close - as my kids are randomly walking by, maybe these messages will soak into their brains.

The quote on the left is from Elder Uchtdorf's talk (he is a leader in our church)  "...holding grudges, judging others, hating, wanting to cause harm, withholding forgiveness, gossiping, ridiculing, ignoring others, withholding mercy, throwing stones - STOP IT."

YIKES! STRIPES?

My hallway was like a bowling alley - long, narrow, and kind of unremarkable.  A hallway can be thought of as another room to decorate, so I took the advice from a blog - 4 men 1 lady - and I striped it.  I think I'm in love!  It still needs some details, but it already adds interest to the bowling alley look.


                                                                       from this

                                                                        to this

Yep - I prefer bowling in an alley!