Thursday, January 29, 2009

thanks melaine

I have a friend, I feel like I have known her forever! She is so nice and she has inspired me more than anyone I have ever known. She has helped me do things that I never thought I could do. She has been so sweet to me. I have NEVER met my very dear friend Melaine........we are just "internet friends". I admired her pages on Rate My Space and left her comments, she returned the comments and gave me some very good advice on some things to do in my home. I admire her work, let's just say I worship everything she does. Here is a sign that I got from her and I LOVE it sooooooooo much. She sells her things, so you too can have this sign or one of the other beautiful things that she creates..........this is now my favorite thing in my house............thanks Melaine and I am so glad that I met you and hope someday we can meet in person...........



Click on her name above and it will take you directly to her very inspiring blog, from there you can find her ETSY store or contact her directly.

i did some thrifting today

A yellow gym locker basket! An old chicken wire basket.......and an old chandelier that I plan on putting candles in and hanging somewhere here..................




over my bathtub.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Creating.....with fingers crossed




I have been busy trying to think up ways to make some extra income before the first of my 6 kids goes off to college (doing something I enjoy and still being able to stay home)............I am creating lots of things and hoping to be able to sell them. Here are a few things that I am working on......please let me know what you think.
























I have lots of other ideas, but these are just a few of what I have started.

Monday, January 26, 2009

OMG

Okay, I was just washing my new treasures (see previous post)...........I turned over that good ole enamel jar and look what was staring at me................and I only paid $2.99, funny thing is the girl ringing me up told me that if I came back in an hour it would be half off ~ I simply didn't have an hour to wait! My friend Deanna was in a bit of a hurry.



Just Junkin Around

Today I took a very quick trip to the local Salvation Army to see if there was anything good. I found a little chair that I thought could have some really "cute" potential........but I didn't get it!! I might go back tomorrow. Anyhow, here is what I found...


A silver tray for $3.99

A silver Coffee pot for $4.99
And an enamel jar (for my craft room) for $2.99

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Kitchen LOVE

I Love this kitchen!!!


Thursday, January 22, 2009

Freezing in Michigan

Winter = cold unhappy people


















Spring = REJUVINATION

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Monday, January 12, 2009

Facebook Addiction

This is why it is 2:00 on a Monday and I have not showered or done anything.

Friday, January 9, 2009

My Vintage Jewels

I love jewelry - All of it. I have tons of it!!! I used to sell it and I still bought it from anywhere I went that sold it!!! My favorite pieces are those that I have from flea markets, thrift shops and a few things that I got from my grandmother...........I have a vintage silver tray that holds some of my favorite pieces. Here is a sneak peek at some of my favorites.





Closet Inspirations

Maybe today I will get to that closet organizing from the previous post, in the meantime, here are some pics that I found for inspiration! If only I would stop the inspiring and start the project.




I could use some baskets with labels......



















Love the jewelry organization!!!













Ah..........the shoes look so comfortable, don't they?






This closet is in my dreams.......


Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Operation REORGANIZE

I am going to start blogging (in hopes to motivate myself) about my New Years Resolution. I will refer to it as: OPERATION REORGANIZE. I am really only posting these pictures to embarrass myself into total organization of my home!!


Hopeful Outcome: to save myself from complete humiliation by proving that I can and I will stay organized and free my mind of clutter! Sounds easier than it looks (see below)







Eww ......... Look at that, the hangers are fighting!!!





And so are the shoes.............






These are shots of my master bedroom closet, very small and verrrrrrrrrrry messy. It needs HELP.







Oh.......I have gathered up some information to help me out a bit.



Well a girl has to clear her mind and fill it with motivational materials before going into battle, right?







Stay Tuned for the transformation, please don't hold your breathe, it might take awhile, but it will happen........it will, I promise .......it will happen

Monday, January 5, 2009

IKEA MANIA

Have you been to IKEA??..............well I was there today. Here's what was in my shopping bag...





Some very colorful fun cheap picture frames...........project and/or use TBD....



IKEA cinnamon rolls ~ had to bring the kids something, right?


Did I need coffee mugs? Kinda.........I just died for this color!!! Isn't it yummy? Yes, I bought those placemats too!!! If you look really close you will see that I had to have the matching napkins........well it was meant to go together!!


I love wrapping paper and this is so fun..........the ribbon was on sale, most spools were 24 cents - how could I just walk away from that kind of a deal? I mean could you?


Oh yeah, these are all part of my organizing "2009" plan........details to come!!

and my favorite purchase of the day.........Prince Froggy..... I saw him, picked him up and then put him down. Left Ikea, went to lunch and could not get Mr.Prince out of my mind ( wondering are those really chicken strips in my salad or could they be, no they couldn't be frog legs?...........so I went back and bought (saved)him........he is super cute in my daughters room ~ I think I want to steal him!!! Not only is he a frog ~ love frogs, he is wearing a crown ~ love crowns.........he is polka dot ~ love polka dot, he is my favorite color Green ~ love green. He is holding all of her webkinz, but wouldn't he look great holding my makeup, blow dryer and velcro rollers???




I haven't been to IKEA in a long time and it was a fun trip.....I can't wait to go back.

Good Day.............Sad Day!!

Did you ever have a day that started out great and turned really bad? Or opposite? I like it better when bad turns good, but not today. I had one of those good days.........sad days. After a day of shopping with my friend at Ikea (and the kids going back to school after a looooooooong very looooooooooooong break) and a very nice lunch.....I was feeling really good and then BAM!!!! Earlier this evening I got the horrible news that my son's best friend ~ the kind of best friend that every Mom wants her son to have!!! lost his father in a very sudden and tragic accident. I am sad, my son is really sad...........but no one can be as sad as my son's friend. Please say a special prayer for a 16 year old great kid who suddenly lost his beloved father today..........

Friday, January 2, 2009

Childhood Memories

My cousin Nick (he lives in CA) sent me this photo and I love it. In the picture is me (front row, middle kid), my little sister "gawngy" , my favorite cousins, Joe, Terry and Nick and my late grandparents ~ these are some of my favorite childhood memories, those spent with my cousins at my grandparents house on Whittier in Grosse Pointe............thanks Nick a Nerk, you are the best cousin EVER. I am guessing that this picture is 40 years old.................yikes!



New Years Resolution: OrGanIze OrGaniZe OrGAniZe

UGH!! My house is a mess!!! I am going to take the next month or two and get my house organized!!! I love this book. I have had it for years and everytime I need to get inspired to do some organizing I pick it up and read it. Sometimes I just need an outline of instructions on how to organize and where to put things ~ this book is one of the best I have read.............it gives wonderful suggestions and helps me get through this daunting task. I am going to post before and after pictures of some of the most embarrassing areas of my home......coming soon!

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Peppers and Goats Cheese

This is a recipe that I got from my friend Kate - she is from Australia and is an awesome cook. I have brought this to many parties and it is always a hit. The best part is, it lasts in your fridge forever. It is a staple in my fridge.

I use 6 peppers (2 red, 2 yellow and 2 orange)........take out seeds and cut into small strips and throw into a medium size saucepan.




Add to peppers; 1 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup of red wine vinegar and two or three cloves of crushed garlic.



Bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower heat and cover. Let is simmer on your stove for as long as you possibly can. Bonus: it provides a wonderful aroma in your home.



Let cool and pour into a container - I use a recycled spaghetti sauce jar!




When ready to serve: I pour the desired amount of peppers w/juice in a small bowl and microwave for about one minute. Place a log of goats cheese on a platter. Pour warm peppers over goats cheese. Serve with tortilla chips or crackers So GOOD. Also, makes a great hostess gift!

About Me

I have been very happily married to my "kindergarten sweetheart" for 20 years............well we actually didn't start dating until we were in our 20's...... Together we have 6 wonderful children. They are 17, 16, 15, 14, 10 and 8. Although, we have moved around often, I am hopeful that we are now settled back home in Michigan.