A Link Party, A Fashion Show & Some Other Random Stuff….

First off, let me give a hearty “Thank You" to everyone who has hopped on board and followed my blog. I appreciate the fact that you not only took the time to read my ramblings, but you became a “follower”, which means you actually liked what you read. Exciting!!

If I calculated it correctly, my follower count is at 93, combining the Google Friends and the Linky Followers. We’re only 7 away from a giveaway and the first official KISS Linky Party! So, if you have some friends who haven’t joined me yet, send ‘em my way! The prize might look something like that barbed wire wreath peeking out from the middle of my header.

Next, guess where I’m going tomorrow night….

(Imagine me asking you this in a sing-songy, nanny, nanny, boo boo voice.)

Can’t guess? Ok, here’s a little hint.

This is going to be a fun and fabulous event. I got a little sneak peek today at Carol Hicks Bolton’s Antiquities all decked out and it is absolutely gorgeous! You can read some of the details about it here on the Magnolia Pearl website. I am thrilled to be able to attend.

I was also featured today on Cindy Adkins’ Whimsical Musings blog. A big thank you to Cindy for mentioning me and showing off my burlap heart wreath.

And finally, a picture of Connor with a giant Mickey Mouse we saw at a thrift store in Kerrville yesterday. This one’s just because I think he’s cute. Connor, not Mickey Mouse. Although, he’s kinda cute, too. If you like rodents.

I’m Dreaming of a White Kitchen

I find myself wandering around my house these days mentally remodeling and redecorating each room. We are slowly working on some things, but one of the major jobs will be the kitchen. It won’t be anytime in the near future, but a girl can dream, right?

I’m linking up tonight with Faded Charm White Wednesday to share some wonderful white kitchens that I’ve been inspired by. Click on the picture for the source.

Shhhh….Don’t Tell Him

My husband and I don’t usually make a big fuss, if any, over Valentine’s Day. No extravagant gifts, pricey dinners or romantic getaways. It’s just not been our thing.

However, this year I found something for him I could. not. resist.

I was searching for a sign price on Etsy and happened upon this fabulous item from Neatcurios.

Isn’t this the coolest thing?

My husband’s name is Robert, so of course, I did not hesitate in hitting the purchase button. Its description read, “A neat antique Victorian Glass Sign. The sign is made of thick glass with a "carved" edge and has a reverse painted decoration which is marked "ROBT McDOWELL".

Neat, curvy glass. It looks like it’s backed with tin foil, but I’m not certain.

Regardless, I thought it was a pretty unusual piece. We’ll probably display it in our office or bedroom when they are redone.

But, don’t say a word. He won’t get it until tonight.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

Burlap Heart Wreath

I thought I’d share a little heart project in honor of Valentine’s Day tomorrow.

This wreath was something I made last month, with the intention of selling it on my Etsy site. However, my younger sister Ashley, who lives in California, and is getting married in September, spotted it on my Facebook page and loved it. So, of course, I had to send it to her. It fits perfectly with her rustic/country/farmhouse outdoor wedding theme.

I started with a heart shaped flower form wreath-one of those green wire ones-that I picked up at a thrift store. I secured the end of a length of burlap ribbon with hot glue to the form and then just wrapped and tucked it around; securing the final end again with hot glue. I knotted some vintage lace around the top for a hanger and added two vintage buttons for a finishing touch. Again, with hot glue. Do you sense a theme here?

Next, I attached a little rusty tin heart that I painted white and sanded a bit. It’s hanging from a piece of rusty coiled wire.

Anyone up for some amore?

A small hole punched in the bottom of the heart allowed me to hang some tarnished silver heart charms from it. These and the amore bead came from that great bag of goodies I found at an estate sale a short while back.

Can’t wait to see my sister’s wedding décor. I’ve heard she’s got some awesome ideas!

Linking to:

Debbiedoo’s Newbie Party

Dear Lillie Valentines Link Party

Under the Table and Dreaming Sunday Showcase Party

Common Ground Vintage Inspiration Friday-Vintage Valentine Party

Knick of Time Tuesday

Coastal Charm Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Cedar Hill Ranch Cowgirl Up Party

Cindy Adkin’s Woman Thing Link Party

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia Tuesday’s Treasures

Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesdays

FMFPTY Treasure Hunt Thursday

No Minimalist Here Open House Party

Its Overflowing-Overflowing With Creativity

The Vintage Farmhouse Creative Things Thursday

At the Picket Fence Inspiration Friday

Redoux What Have You Done Friday

Stuff and Nonsense Fridays Unfolded

2805 Potpourri Friday

French Country Cottage Feathered Nest Friday

Funky Junk Interior’s SNS

Too Much Time on My Hands Get Schooled Saturday

Under the Table and Dreaming Sunday Showcase Party

Cranberry Orange Muffins

This is my second post in two days about food~I’m not sure what that says, except I’ve been really hungry this weekend!

I found this yummy recipe at Rita’s Recipes and tweaked it, of course, to make it gluten free.

I started with my favorite mixing bowl. It’s melamine and looks a lot like Texas Ware, but it’s not. It did come from my husband’s great-aunt, but I’m not sure how old it is. Anytime something needs mixing, out this comes.

Next, I pulled out my Pampered Chef muffin tin. Love it!

Recipe as tweaked:

• 2 1/2 c. gluten-free flour (I used Bob’s Red Mill)
• 1 c. sugar
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 7/8 tsp. xanthan gum
• 1/2 c. olive oil (or melted butter, if you prefer)
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 c. orange juice
• 1 tsp. grated orange zest
• 1 c. cranberries

Mix all dry ingredients together, stir the wet ingredients into the dry. Stir in the cranberries (I gave mine a whirl through my little chopper to minimize their size.) Top with some cinnamon sugar if you’d like. Bake in a 350 oven till toothpick comes out clean. Enjoy!

KISS~Saturday Night Supper

Ok, so I was talking blogging about starting a Saturday Linky Party, ‘cause I think they are way too much fun. I’ve decided that once I reach 100 followers, I will choose a date to start the party. And….I will host my first giveaway. Not sure yet what it will be, but I’m sure I can come up with something fabulous and fun!

My theme will be KISS~Keep It Simple Saturday. You will be able to hook up whatever crafts, home décor, recipes or lifestyle changes you have made that are basically just simple in nature. Pretty simple, huh?

I’m going to try to continue the pattern of posting my own KISS project each Saturday until I officially start the party.

I don’t know about the lot of you, but I don’t like to cook dinner on the weekends. Whether it’s been a work day around the house, a play day out and about or just a lazy Saturday, I don’t look forward to 5:00 when I usually start cooking.

My solution?

Pancakes.

For the last few weeks, I have declared Saturday Night as pancake night. They are quick and simple, and if the kiddos aren’t too hungry there’s leftovers for breakfast the next day. Brilliant, isn’t it?

This is what I use. It’s gluten free and absolutely yummy. When I first made them for the family, they declared the result better than the standard mix I had been using. The secret is the almond flour in the mix. The pancakes have a slight nutty flavor and great texture. And they don’t soak up the syrup like flour pancakes. This is also more economical than buying all the assorted flours and mixing a batch from scratch.

The recipe calls for 1 cup of mix, 3/4 cup of water, 1tbsp. oil and 1 egg.

So there’s my KISS. If you have anything to share, please leave me a comment until I’m up and running! I’d love to hear about your simplifying ideas.

White Wednesday Bazaar Project Reveal

I’m joining up today with Faded Charm’s White Wednesday Party.

Hopefully y’all aren’t tired of seeing these upcycled items I’ve been working on for the Spring Fling Bazaar Fundraiser. This is what I’ve devoted the majority of my creativity to these days, although I have completed a couple of things in Connor’s room that I will show you later.

This was a silver garden-type trellis. I spray painted it white and wrapped it with some ivy and orange blossom flowers that were in the donation bag. But I was pretty sure it needed something else.

Burlap! I cut strips from a burlap sack and glued them around it. Loving the contrast between the rough texture and the delicate look of the flowers.

I finished it off by gluing a vintage button to each side of the flower on top.

Have a wonderful White Wednesday!

Also linking to:

FMFPTY Treasure Hunt Thursday

No Minimalist Here Open House Party

The Vintage Farmhouse Creative Things Thursday

French Country Cottage Feathered Nest Friday

At the Picket Fence Inspiration Friday

Stuff and Nonsense Fridays Unfolded

Common Ground Vintage Inspiration Friday

Funky Junk Interior’s SNS

Too Much Time On My Hands Get Schooled Saturday