Summer Re-do

A friend tipped me off recently to an antiques dealer in the area that sells chalk paint. C.C. Caldwell. I was thrilled and rushed over that same day to get me some. I've been reading about Annie Sloane's chalk paint, but there's no local retailer. I was glad to get some and finally check it out. The sample I got is Blue Montana Sky. I thought I was going to come home and paint a couple table runners to look like french grain sacks. However my eyes lit on my neglected desk in the corner and the race was on to cover her in this chalky wonder called paint!

This is my desk, Lucy. hee hee I thought it would be fun to name her just now. (smile)  In this picture I am in process of covering up the wilted, dilapidated gray with a cooler shade of blue. I've never used chalk paint, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. I've read that you don't have to strip or sand the furniture before painting, so I didn't. I think it would have made a difference in the color of the piece had it not had peeling gray already on it. I kinda like the blue in the paint bottle better than on the desk. But it's growing on me. It's not too bad for my first shot at it. What do you think?

Here's Lucy all painted and just awaiting some creative styling. I have some more pictures on my camera to download and I'll show them to you. I found this darling mini lamp that matches my full size living room lamp. They look so sweet together!
I hope your Friday is getting off to a good start! We are hoping to head to the tennis courts tonight when the rain lets up.
Happy Weekend!

Tammy

 

Roughing It

I don't think you can say you went camping unless you roughed it! Know what I mean? Camping is not pulling up in a pull -along trailer that stretches out to twice it's size with a flick of a switch. That's like being at home!! Know what I mean? We saw plenty of these "homes-on-wheels" recently when we roughed it with our six person tent. I know.... there's plenty of people that would say our tent is not roughing it. We are only four and we have enough room to stand tall and move around and dress comfortably. We even have a "rain jacket" over ours. It's great and spacious. We are quite comfortable in it.

However this weekend of camping has made me re-consider if I want to rough it anymore. It was HOT!! We came home a day early because my man didn't like the oppressive heat. It was many degrees hotter in the tent. I'm sure an AC unit would have made all the difference. hee hee   I can just imagine what that would look like now in our tent window. It makes me laugh! 

But it's not just because of the heat. Actually I found it quite do-able under the shade of the oak trees that framed our tent. It's the sweaty-dirty-no-clean-shower-nearby-having-to-go-to-the-bathroom-in-the middle-of-the-night-kinda-thing. Anyone with me?
So I'm not sayin' I'm against the "homes on wheels" kinda camping, I'm just thinking you can't really call it camping when you have all those indoor plumbing luxuries!! I sure would have loved that this weekend! HA!

This little caterpillar above was so cool!! We found him crawling on my man's grill. Soon he will turn into a Swallowtail butterfly. He made the camping trip for us!!
Hope you're enjoying your summer.
BE COOL!
Tammy

It Started with a Grill

This was one of the best gifts I   we could have given my husband. A weber charcoal grill! S.W.E.E.T It all started Friday night, two days before Father's Day. The girls and I had just picked it up Thursday afternoon and by Thursday night we were giggling through dinner and winking back our secrets to one another. Are you good at keeping secrets? I can keep a secret. No worries there. But it's the excitement and delight within that just wants to bubble out until the gift is finally given. Know what I mean?

So Friday night AFTER dinner we surprised him with it! It was a good thing we did. There was so much more to it than I knew! He researched the best way to start a charcoal fire and what accessories he needed. What a joy to share in his joy! As I type that, I can't help but think that must be how the Lord looks down upon his children as we enjoy His wonderful gifts. 

I was so blessed not to have to cook ALL WEEKEND! In fact, I'm still not cooking. I love this grill!! hee hee.

Sunday we took a wonderful hike on the Appalachian Trail. We walked through the most wonderful horse pasture. The horses were not near the trail this time, but other times it's been wonderful to pet them along the way!

At the end of our hike we finished off our day with slushies and Doritos. You know....like any good mother would feed her kids for dinner! hee hee 
Hope your week is wonderful!
Tammy 

Welcome to Spa Night

Woohoo! Who doesn't like a little relaxin'?

 

 

 We are avid home schoolers here! Part of our mission in life is to encourage and bless others who also have been called to this wonderful alternative to public or private schooling. I recently led a Spa Party for home schooling moms. It was fabulous!!

We had four stations set up for the ladies to enjoy A Mani/Pedi Station. A craft station to make their own body scrub. My favorite was the lavender. Another favorite was mojito made with a little lime juice and eucalyptus oil. Who knew it could be so easy!!!

 We had a facial station where the ladies tried a home made mask made of greek yogurt and egg yolks.

 We also had a wonderful foot soaking station with beautiful flowers floating in the scented foot tubs. It was a serene and beautiful night. Prizes were given out every hour and there was lots of gourmet food to enjoy. My favorite was the chocolate bomb cake. It was the bomb, let me tell ya!!!!

 I so wish I had a picture of this chandelier that was made. MADE out of cardboard no less!!! It was huge and fit our foyer just perfect. The cardboard curves were covered with silver glitter and blue baubles hung from each arm.

T

This sign gave me a great deal of anxiety. It started out light blue and then when the paint dried I noticed I did not paint some of the sides. So I used some blue-ish green to patch it up and then realized in horror that the colors were not the same. Several coats later (adding white to match the colors)  it was fixed. I was so thankful. I was down to only 12 hours before the Spa night and I just had to have a sign. WHEW!!!

I hope you have a relaxing weekend! I am heading once again to The Tomato Pie Cafe next week with some friends and I'll let you know what yummies we have.
Tammy

Peonies and Blueberry Bars

Hey There --
Just lovin' the sweet scent of my beautiful peonies this time of year. I decided to cut some and enjoy them indoors. Usually I don't like to cut them. But you know what? It's such a shame that they just can't keep their big heads standing up. They drag along the ground and get so droopy. Nobody really enjoys them then. So this year it's different.

I have two ball jars full and may bring another bouquet in later this week. I'll watch to see how many are drooping first. Friends of ours have pink and white peonies. I'm hoping we can make a little trade sometime soon. I'm so thankful these flowers are so hardy and are very hard to destroy.  I want to cut the bulbs in the Fall and transplant some of mine to the side of my house.
Girls -- I've got a great recipe to share!! It is truly scrumptious!! It's called Blueberry Oatmeal Bars. We call them Blueberry crumble. They are so delicious and so easy to make!

We've been enjoying hand-picked blueberries all winter long. Now I'm scurrying to use up the remainder so I can pick some fresh ones soon. So it was quite by coincidence that I happened upon this recipe, not really knowing for sure how well they would turn out. They remind me of mini blueberry pies. I might try to make some in pint mason jars next time. Wouldn't that be cute?
Our local berry pickin' place is open for strawberry season next week. I can't wait to go out and turn those into something yummy too!! 
Hope you are enjoying what the season has to offer! 
Tammy 

A New Place

Hello Girlfriends --
We have THIS NEW PLACE in our area!! That's big stuff!!! We don't see THIS KIND OF PLACE too often. It's exciting. First a friend introduced me to The Tomato Pie Cafe and then I took my mom and sis. I can't decide if its more about the food for me or the ambiance. It's so hard to choose. Do I have to?  

The bar and wall unit in this picture were found at an auction by the owners. When they purchased them they were one unit in it's original condition. SWEET!

Check out the mason jar chandelier!!! L.O.V.E.

You may not see this picture clearly, but they hung two windows with the breakfast selections marked on them. So cool!  Love this antique buffet!!

Looking forward to going back again real soon! Kandi and Patty are you in?
More about the ambiance and food next post.
Enjoy your week!
Tammy

You've Gotta Try These

Good Saturday Morning!!
Do you wanna get your Saturday off to a good start? Let me introduce to you the Cinnamom Roll. Not just any cinnamon roll. It's the recipe from Pioneer Woman.  http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/cinammon_rolls_/
OH MY GOODNESS GIRLS!!! You've gotta try it. It takes a bit of time, but is quite easy and so worth the character- building patience (snicker, snicker) it takes to endure until it's melting in your mouth.

My mom and sis and I were heading out for a once-in-a-lifetime SPA day and I wanted a little something-something special. Know what I mean?  I made these little cuties in individual tin pans and had our specialty coffees ready to go in these darling cups. It was the perfect start to a perfect, relaxing day.
I am so ready to go again!
Enjoy your weekend!
Tammy

Spring Plantings

Welcome to my garden! 
I've been enjoying planting lettuce and cauliflower with my youngest. She can't wait to get the watering can out! Water and kids go hand- in - hand.

How is your garden growing?
Tammy

still celebrating

Easter worship service was F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S. I didn't want the music to stop! My girls really enjoyed the Easter egg hunt at my sis-in-laws later for lunch. 

I don't know if you can see that little gap on the top row of my baby's mouth, but she also lost her first tooth for Easter. She assured me it was not a problem eating candy with that gap! HA! How was your Easter?
We managed to get a good family picture too!

I started getting ready for Gracie's sleep over birthday party this week. She wanted tissue flowers!

Now she has them .....

I'll show you pictures once I have the table set and the three-tiered cake made! Tonight we are having a little get together with some old neighbors. I've set the table for Easter and I'll have pictures of that soon!
Enjoy your week!
Tammy

Celebrations!

This month and next we have LOTS of celebrations in my house! It's the month of birthdays!! In March we celebrate my brother, his wife and my mom (see my beautiful mom above with my sis and two girls) and in April we party for my Gracie, myself and my sis!! It's one fabulous way to welcome in Spring!!
It may not be so warm outside yet, but we are feeling the warmth inside! It's so much fun!
I saw this yummy recipe somewhere for an open faced tuna on a baquette. It looked so pretty and sounded so yummy, I thought it was the perfect menu for my mom's spectacular day.

And it was!! You mix cans of albacore tuna with capers, homemade mayonnaise (I can't believe I made it myself!!) Italian parsley and hard boiled egg, salt and pepper and scoop it unto a crusty piece of Italian bread. Then you broil it in the oven smothered with provolone, Parmesan or Swiss cheese -- whatever you prefer. S.C.R.U.M.P.T.I.O.U.S.
I tossed a pretty green leafy salad next to it with plenty of little mandarin oranges, slivered almonds and feta cheese. OH SO GOOD!!!

One of all of our favorites is cheese cake. Creamy, thick, New York style cheesecake. I have a great recipe and ended up making three. (gotta have one for my party in April, you know?) That's when my ancient hand mixer decided to die and I was left with a bowl of eight cream cheeses and a smoky, smelly mixer. Thankfully it was mostly mixed. So we ate some more and sang and asked the Lord to bless my mom for another beautiful year.
I'm looking forward to some great partying in April. Gracie is having a Hello Kitty slumber party. She wants a three-tiered chocolate cake with white icing. L.O.V.E.  I'm headed to one of my favorite local towns for some bring-it-on pampering. An all day affair at our wonderful Hershey Spa where I'll have a rain forest "shower", cocoa soak and chocolate massage. We'll follow all that up with a Mediterranean lunch in our white, fluffy robes. So can't wait!!!! Maybe I'll even have pictures to share! OOh La La!!! 
Until then...... 
Tammy

Visit by a Movie Star

Hello Dear Friends --
I got a new camera recently. A Nikon 3100. It was a complete surprise and welcome gift! In the midst of my random shooting, a movie star graced the room and I couldn't help but take her picture.

Well, maybe a lot of pictures! 

She loved posing and I loved snapping!

It wasn't long before my house was filled with movie stars dancing all around!
I'm blessed to have such precious stars in my life!

How about you?

Tammy

Heavy Metal

Hello Sweet Friends --
I couldn't resist the title. I'm not advocating the music --
just the stool! hee hee
We got a Home Goods store in our area within the last six months and I made it there finally. As soon as I walked in, I had to stop and just take it all in. So many rich textures, colors, metals and fabrics. I had to go up each and every aisle at a leisurely pace.
I've been looking for a stool for my craft space for months. Finally one I liked that was not too pricey. It's just my style...industrial.
I'll send along some more pictures of the stool soon as well as my crafty work space.
hugs,
tammy