Christmas Decorations Part 1

Photojournal Tuesday

This is what I have to show for my week:

The half-round table that I painted is in my dining room, complete with "art" and one very sad plant. (I'm going plastic next time)

My Bathroom is nearing completion as well. I now have a towel rack...

hanging basket with monogrammed towels...

and a newly organized shelving area that is a work in progress.

I started on G's room. His still needs to have the baby wallpaper stripped off and to be repainted all around, but the Lightning McQueen wall art and new comforter was a start, right?

Just for fun this is his little project for tonight. "I'm setting them out for tomorrow," he said. Too cute!

When Black Attacks

Refinishing is great - when you actually FINISH it. So I am happy to announce that I did indeed finish something yesterday! ~applause~ Thank you, thank you!

Here is the before of my little half table from a while back:


These two side lamps I picked up at the Asbury Thrift store for $7 a piece:




Let me tell you that when you start to paint in 40* weather, the results can be scary. The Rust-oleum paint (in textured matte black) started to drip off the first lamp sending me running for paper towels to wipe up with. Just when I was starting to wonder if I needed to sand them first, laziness kicked in and I just tried again. This time it worked. Shwoo! Just a quick word on working with spray paint: if you think you have enough newspaper out to cover the garage floor you are ALWAYS wrong. So here are the end results of the table and lamp make over. (I'm not showing you my garage floor.)

Mac and NOT Cheese

Coming up with ideas for lunch is rough. I used to complain bitterly that the school fed Austin crap (hot dogs, chicken fingers and pizza) ALL the time, but now I find myself in ruts that are just as bad! (Ramen, sandwiches and mac and cheese anyone?) One problem is that I HATE having to cook two meals and with my food sensitivities, it can get crazy. So today I came up with my own recipe using three pans, but just ONE meal at a time!

Mac and NOT Cheese

1 box of pasta (I used Cars pasta since I wasn't sure how this would turn out and my kids will eat anything cartoon shaped)
1/2 stick of Blue Bonnett "light" (LOL) margarine (any butter will do, but this is what makes this dish dairy free for me)
1 small onion, chopped finely
1 small potato, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup of flour
1 can of chicken broth
1 chicken breast, chopped into small pieces
salt and pepper to taste

Cook the pasta according to box directions. In small sauce pan, melt butter and add onion and potato. Cook until potatoes are softened, but not completely cooked. Add flour and mix well removing from heat. In a separate small sauce pan, bring chicken broth to a boil and add chicken pieces. Cook until done - about 3 - 4 minutes. Add the chicken broth mixture slowly to the veggie mixture to make a thick sauce. Continue to heat up the mix until it reaches desired thickness. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix sauce into cooked pasta.

It was yummy, although the boys all said they could do without the chicken next time. LOL! I think I would like to try it with chopped carrots added with the veggies.

When Pools Explode

Our pool died spectacularly this week. We discovered the aftermath on Thursday morning. See how the metal flashing is embedded in the steps?


The lack of leaves makes a perfect border to see where the water went. See the REALLY heavy filter up against the deck?

The water was so high that it came up about four feet onto the deck...

and took out any grass that was brave enough to grow in the shade.

The AC unit got knocked off it's foundation about 10 inches and was saved by the last 7 inches of bush stump we couldn't remove last summer.

The 50 lb 2x10 used to be UNDER the deck.





The water blasted half way across the neighbors yard as well. Sheesh!

THAT was a LOT of water...

Thankful for Friends

Thank you so much to Cathy for organizing a Thanksgiving day party for us and opening your home. We had a ball and I am so thankful for good friends today - not to mention good food!




Love you guys!

Something Old, Something New

Something Old:

I have been wanting to redo a few items in my house for quiet some time now. The sewing bench with the woeful fabric is calling out for paint and recovering.

This little half table that I found at a yard sale for $2.50 just needs a coat of paint to be a real jem.

My chandelier in the dining room is brass. I think Lou needs to join a support group for men who like brass fixtures since he still likes this thing. Sigh. It will soon be black!


Something New:

I have fallen in love with this light fixture:


I think it would be just perfect in my entryway area. It is taunting me with it's metal and crystal finish and it's $140 price tag. The worst part is I could be at Lowe's in 3 minutes... Sigh.

This pretty set has also been on my mind.


I love the bright white to show off the food. Pottery Barn should be outlawed in teh season when one is supposed to be shopping for OTHERS...

Recent Crafts

These are the pumpkins I made for Mom for Halloween. My Cinderella pumpkins. :o)




And this one is the Christmas tree I made for the craft sale at Calhoun. Isn't it pretty? I'm a bit proud of it. Heehee.

Friday Fun

Homeschool Skate Day

Rhodes Ferry Park - I was so proud that they were all still able to play pretend...