Lamp Re-Do

I've recently rearranged my living room and found that I was in need of a tall table lamp. My sister bought an older re-vamped vintage lamp that I fell in love with, but being the frugal person that I am, I didn't want to spend a lot of money. And so, the search began.

 

I visited St. Vinnies and found some options. I almost bought one, but they have a no return policy and I didn't have any light bulbs to test lamps with. Next I went to Goodwill, but nothing jumped out at me there. The next day, I took Mark back to St. Vinnies with me, with light bulb in hand, and decided to go out on a limb and buy this tall brass lamp.

 

 

 

I know, you're all jealous of this beauty, but there's potential (I think).

 

And, at a mere $3, I can afford it to not turn out perfectly.

In it's proposed final resting spot, gleaming in all it's brass splendor.

 

 

Once, my dad told me that you can paint metals if you wipe them down with vinegar. Since I love vinegar (for cleaning, killing weeds, salad dressing) I had a little bit to spare for this project. Even if it didn't help with the paint, it would clean and disinfect the lamp.

 

Time for primer.

Even the primer transforms this project already, but there are some still spots showing through. 

 

 

Next comes my favorite spray paint. I've found that Rust-Oleum gives me the best finish. I was going for a little modern twist, so I chose the gloss white ($4.77 at Walmart).

 

Hmm, something looks different.

 

Back inside. It's giving me the height I was looking for, and the vintage feel that works best with this old house.

 

Add a burlap lampshade from Target ($14.99) and ta-da, new feel to an old corner of the living room.

Pinterest Cooking- Day 4

 

For the last Pinterest meal this week, I decided to go with Parmesan Crusted Chicken, or as it was referred in the pin To Die for Chicken. With a name like that, how could I resist?

 

 

Pinned photo:

 

 

As it sometimes happens, the description in the pin varied (this time only slightly) from the accompanying site recipe. The original recipe called for mayo, but we're not a mayo family, so I did as was suggested and used Greek plain yogurt instead.

 

 

My cooked version:

 

 

Final thought: I wouldn't call it to DIE for, but it was pretty darn good. Ironically, the child who usually eats and likes anything I make didn't like this (maybe it has something to do with him being a teenager) the middle one liked it, but didn't feel compelled to have seconds, and the third begrudgingly ate what was required and decided everything else on his plate was much more enjoyable. I thought it was good, and I'll make it again.

Pinterest Cooking- Day 3

I can't lie, I've made this meal several times. It has become one of our favorites, but I did find it on Pinterest, so it still counts.

And, really, with Bacon Wrapped Chicken, how can you go wrong?

Pinned picture:

My cooked version:

It is accompanied by Orzo with Parmesan and Basil, another super yummy Pinterest find.

Final thoughts: even the non-bacon lovers (shocking, I know) like this meal. The original recipe calls for a fresh sage leaf under the bacon, but we didn't have any, so I didn't add it. It is amazingly easy to make and has loads of flavor (even for those who strip the bacon off).

Pinterest Cooking- Day 2

When I first found Pinterest, I got excited about the ability to gather my online recipes and keep them all together. Gone was the need to remember which recipe was on which site. At Pinterest, all I had to do was click on the picture and, ta-da, I was immediately taken to the original site.

Except...I forgot that websites can change their data.

Night two of cooking through Pinterest, I decided to make one of my favorite soups; Tomato Basil Soup I opened up my pin and nooooooooo, the recipe had been altered.

Pinned picture:

 



 

 

 

I had to make a choice. Go with this new (probably healthier) recipe, or go from memory to the yummy goodness that I knew. I opted for trying to replicate the soup the I had already made several times. Here is my list of ingredients:

 

 

2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes

1 (14.5 oz) can chicken broth

1 tsp sugar

18 fresh basil leaves, chopped

1/2 cup butter

1 cup heavy cream

 

It's pretty much the same instructions (maybe add the sugar when the tomatoes and broth boil).

 



For me, grilled cheese is a MUST with tomato soup:

 



 

 

Final lesson: if I find a recipe I love, print a hard copy just in case.



 



Cooking through Pinterest- Day 1

I tend to get in a rut with cooking. I have my favorite recipes, ones passed down, and ones made so often, I know them by memory. This is all good and well, but there comes a time when I need to branch out, try something new.

I've dedicated this weeks worth of meals (okay, really only 4 dinners) to Pinterest only recipes. I wonder if they will turn out as pinned.

Up first is Beef Enchiladas.

This is the pinned pic. Looks yummy. Recipe for it is here.

My version before cooking:

After cooking:

 

I think it was a success:



 

  

Final thoughts: it was good. I think next time, I might add some garlic salt when browning the beef and onions. Out of 5 of us, 3 thought it was delicious, 2 don't eat beef, so they really don't count. Definitely a recipe to add to the rotation.

 

Garden

Spring is upon us!

We made it through the winter, as we always do, and have been rewarded with the life-giving sunshine and promise of hope. This is the time of year I get itching to play in the dirt, buy bright colored flowers, and spend time sitting in the sun with a good book. I can't wait to weed out the garden beds and transform them from dull, dead branches to splotches of loveliness. And yet...I know my energy and desire to work will wear out. I know that no matter how determined I am, I will lose the weed battle at some point, or some section of garden.

And that's okay.

I feel like my garden is a reflection of me and, really, all of us. Some portions are pretty, and ready to be shown off, but most of it has a lot of work to be done.

Take this bleeding heart for example. Zoom in enough, and all you see is the stunning creation of the plant. What you don't see are the weeds surrounding it, the peeling concrete steps to the right of it, or the down spout behind it.

I know I have parts of my life that look presentable, but there is more left unseen. I'm thankful that I have a gardener- no, not just A gardener, the MASTER gardener, who is constantly and consistently working on me to mold me into the creation He envisions. I have a gardener who will not get discouraged by all the work that needs to be done, or weary because I'm not performing to the level He desires to see. I have a gardener who will never give up on me.

Oh, what a joy He brings.

Dinner at a Glance

A couple weeks ago, after many, many complaints about what was for dinner, I decided to make the boys decide what was on the menu. I gave them each a day to figure out what we were eating. This helps them be a little more aware of what it takes to pre-plan dinner, and how it feels if someone doesn't like your choice.

The first week went smoothly. I asked them in the morning, and they each came up with great ideas. The next week, they had a harder time thinking of another choice, and we were left scrambling at the last minute to come up with dinner.

I had seen dry erase boards on pinterest and thought that would be a great way to keep us reminded who's turn it was to pick dinner, and what that dinner was.

From reading blogs and pins, making a memo board seemed simple enough. All you need is a frame with glass (have lots of those thanks to my earring organizers), pretty paper, and a dry erase marker. Most blogs used lovely scrapbooking paper. I don't scrapbook. All we had was plain old printer paper- not very appealing.

I did however have leftover ribbon (from when I was making barrette holders).

Using 7 strips of ribbon, I taped them (somewhat evenly spaced) to my boring printer paper, and wrote with permanent marker the days of the week. A major scrubbing of my Goodwill $.99 frame glass, and, ta-da, dry erase board.

The frame could be painted, and the backing could be much, much prettier, but for today, it works.

Who's turn to choose is on the right.

Days of the week and dinner choice on the left.