Shades of Light (Not!)

I’ve been on the look out for some shades for my kitchen chandelier for quite a while.      I even tried to spray paint one of the shades that came on the chandy but it was an epic fail…every time the light was on, you could tell it was spray painted.       Recently I saw some woven wicker shades on the Pottery Barn website that I thought would be just perfect in my kitchen.     I had a gift card so I bit the bullet and ordered 6.

 

 

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My chandy even looked a lot like theirs.    I tracked those shades delivery progress every day and was so excited the day they were delivered.    I quickly put them on my chandelier and turned on the light and…..it looked so DARK  with the shades!    The table sits in front of a large bay window so there is plenty of light coming in but still, it looked gloomy even in the bright day light.    When hubby got home I asked him what he thought….of course, his response was “if you like them I like them”.     Why do guys do that?     Don’t pacify me, tell me what you think!!!   Then my sister was there a few days later and I got basically the same response….no help whatsoever.     And at night….you could barely see what you were eating (not really, but that’s how it felt to me).

So after about a week I knew I would never love those shades so I packed them up and UPS will pick them up Monday to return them back to PB.     So now my chandy is nekkid again but at least I can see!

Decorating with Free Art

Who doesn’t love something free?   But free has to look good, right, can’t look too “free” or it looks cheap…..a word we don’t like to use in decorating our homes.    

Recently I saw this photo over here and knew right away it was perfect for my horse-lovin’ granddaughter.     So I clicked over to the Graphics Fairy and printed out the horse print on card stock, got a pretty frame and we’re in business!    

 

Sometime back I saw a framed quote over at another blog (I can’t remember exactly which one but I think it was here….if you know please tell me so I can give proper credit)…..it was perfect for my little grandson Jackson so I created it with the colors and fonts in a Word document, used the same kind of frame I used for Taylor’s horse pic, and now he has a cute frame and print to hang in his room to remind himself of his wonderfulness!  

 

There are a lot of great places to get free prints on line…you just have to look.

BTW, I got the frames at Michael’s 1/2 off!    They were $9.99 each so I got two for the price of one….I love the white mat, I think it gives it a more custom look.

Update on My Mom

My mom came through her surgery on Thursday like a trooper!    While they didn’t put her sleep (totally) they did get her so relaxed that during recovery she asked me if it was over….so she was pretty much out of it during the procedure.    If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, my 92 year old mom broke her arm in two places back in January and has worn a cast for 10 weeks…one bone healed but the other did not.     It was a very nasty break and the orthopedic surgeon said he had no option but to operate.    We were all understandably worried as the doctor was very unhappy about having to try and put plates and screws in her arm.    The analogy he used was trying to put plates and screws in rotted wood as opposed to solid oak.    He said that when he went in and grabbed the bone around her wrist area it crumbled!     But he was able to get two plates in her bones and now, in his words, we hope for the best.     She will wear a splint on her arm 4-6 weeks more, depending on how the bones heal.     So we wait and continue pray.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who took the time to leave me a comment and assurances of thoughts and prayers.    I know that while we all love to see everyone’s beautiful homes and great projects, it never ceases to amaze me how bloggers come out in force to support one another with encouragement and prayers when need be.     You will never know how much it meant to me, and my extended family, to know we had prayers offered up for our mom.

On a much different and lighter note, my daughter and her husband left this afternoon for a week in Savannah and their twins left with the other grandmother for a week at the beach!    What are we gonna do without our babies?     I’ve already called my daughter on the road to track their progress and sent her an e-mail with a little project I did this afternoon for the twins….are we wimps or what?!?!

I started a little Easter/Spring decorating outside today.     I still haven’t put anything out inside the house and I may not…..and I’m okay with that.    I’ll just fix the grandchildren some Easter goodies and call it a day.

Hope you all are having your share of this wonderful spring weather as we are…

Prayer Request

I have a special prayer request to ask of ya’ll.    Tomorrow (Thursday) my 91 year old mom will undergo surgery.    She broke her arm in 2 places back in January and one of the bones has not healed.    She’s worn a cast for 10 weeks but when the doctor removed it yesterday it was obvious  he would have to operate.   Of course, there are always risks involved in any operation and while this is considered an outpatient procedure, the risks are exacerbated due to her age and brittle bones.     The break is so severe the doctor is concerned the bones will “crumble” when he tries to hold them together with screws and/or plates.    If that happens, he will have to try and insert a rod.   

The surgery is scheduled for 1:00 P.M. CST.    I know this is in God’s hands now but I would appreciate all prayers.

Thank you

Painted Baskets

I have a love affair with baskets….as far back as I can remember I’ve used them for all sorts of storage and decorations.    They are so popular and you can find all shapes, sizes and styles.     I have tons of magazines I just can’t seem to throw out so I’m always looking for ways to store them.    When I saw some painted baskets in a Lowe’s Home Improvement catalog, I knew I had to copy them.    I bought two Allen + Roth baskets and Valspar’s Churchill Hotel Vanilla spray paint (don’t’ you just love that name?) and made these this afternoon.    I love how they turned out and I can use them anywhere in the house now that I’m using neutrals and textures.

 

 

I measured the height of my basket and it was 7” so I taped off the in the middle so I had about 3 1/2” above and below the tape.

 

 

Took them outside and sprayed away.     In just a few minutes here’s what I had….

 

I love how they turned out

 

 

 

So easy and this project cost me about $25….a little more than I would call a “thrifty” project but I’ll get so many uses out of these baskets and magazines fit inside perfectly!

Our weather here is unbelievable!    My azaleas are in full bloom which is pretty early for them even around here.      I hope to get the patio and deck cleaned up some this weekend and freshen up the patio furniture with some paint.    I would love to replace the cushions but I haven’t found anything I like yet.    Plus I want to paint the boards on the deck….never ending projects I tell ya!    We have the family for Easter each year and I need to get my flower boxes planted, add some hanging baskets and ferns.     At some point I’ve got to get out my Easter décor too.

We’re going to the lake Sunday after church to meet my sister and her hubby for lunch….can’t wait to sit outside at our favorite restaurant and enjoy this gorgeous weather!

Have a safe and productive weekend!

Pork Chop Casserole

Here’s a great pork chop dish that doesn’t break the bank and tastes great!    I also like the idea that it’s baked and not fried (although who doesn’t love fried pork chops?)

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 4-6  pork chops (you could also use boneless pork chops)
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can cream of celery soup (optional)
• 1-2 cans sliced white potatoes
• Thin sliced onion
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Garlic powder (optional)

 

 

 

 

Spray casserole dish with Pam and place your pork chops in the dish.    Add the sliced white potatoes on top of the pork chops, salt & pepper to taste & add garlic powder if desired.      Mix the soup with 1 can of water and mix well.    Pour soup mixture over the pork chops/potatoes.    (I didn’t have an onion so that’s why you don’t see one here).    Bake at 400 degrees 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours (depending on your oven) until pork chops are done.

I served mine with cinnamon apples and garlic bread…..yummy!

Paint Changes Everything

I’m sure most of you know how changing a room with paint can make such an impact.    It’s easy on the budget and is a quick and inexpensive way to get instant gratification.     So yesterday the painters finished up in my den and now I’d like to share the new color with you.    

 

 

 

This is how I styled the mantel last night….I’m sure I’ll be making changes. I put my basket with bread boards on the hearth because it needed some texture. I want to put a pretty basket there and I saw some at World Market that I like.

 

It’s hard to get a wide angle photo because there are two openings to the sunroom on either side of the fireplace that get a lot of light and cast a big glare in pictures.   

The fireplace is painted the same color as the walls.    I wish I’d had that brick painted years ago, I love it!

 

 

 

 

Our carpenter friend came by Friday night with my newly built mantel….he did such a great job! My husband told him I’d probably have his number on speed dial since I have several things I need (want) him to do.

 

And just to remind you of how far it’s come….here’s a little “before” for you.   The mantel has primer on it and you can see my “gold” walls and ugly brick color. I also had the chair rail removed.

 

Since I’m still tweaking the room, today I wanted to mainly share my coffee table along with another little change in here.   I brought in my faux zebra rug in from the sunroom and placed it under the table.    I thought with all that tone-on-tone I needed something unexpected and to pop in there and that rug really makes a difference.    I thought about ordering another one of these rugs to put back in the sunroom but that might be “overkill” so for now I’ll just keep the seagrass rug in there until I find something to replace the zebra.    Both rooms are painted the same color and decorated very similar so I still might end up with another zebra rug for the sunroom!

See that big empty area on the table?   That’s where hubby props his feet so it has to stay “clear” according to him!    I’d love to find an industrial cart to replace the glass topped coffee table.

 

 

 

I love that sweet little statue my DIL gave me years ago….it’s a mother holding her child.    I’ve covered some of my books in the brown kraft paper and look for neutral covered books as well as those with a turquoise jacket.    I don’t think I’m going to cover all my books with the kraft paper because I like to “mix it up” with the book jackets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s the chair that was covered with a German grain sack and black linen.     I’m not gonna lie, I was a little disappointed in how it turned out.     I  don’t like the finish on the chair but I couldn’t decide if I wanted to paint it or re-stain it.      A friend was with me when I dropped it off and she suggested I use the black gimp trim but I wish I’d used a color that would have blended with the grain sack better.     But like they say “it is what it is” so I’ll just live with it  (and you can see I still have a faux ficus tree!)

 

 

 

I put my old dough bowl on top of the entertainment unit and filled it with pinecones (some have turquoise tips) and antlers.     I may put some other things up there but for now I like the simplicity of the dough bowl by itself.

 

That about all I’ve done in here so far.    Still have a dresser to paint and I haven’t decorated the sideboard in here either.     I’m just living with the new changes until I get a feel for what else I want to do.      Also, I think we’ve made a decision on the sofa.     Although the Pottery Barn basic sofa is on sale for a great price, I think I’m going to get the Ikea Ektorp with a while slipcover and buy an extra in  Svanby beige.    Then I can have two looks for less than the price of the PB sofa.     Now I need to plan a trip to Atlanta to the Ikea store…anyone up for a road trip?

 

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Ikea Blekinge White

 

Ikea Svanby Beige

Not Again…

While I love the early signs of spring here in the south, there is usually a price to be paid.    Just today a tornado ripped through northern Alabama and left a path of destruction, including damage to a state prison.      Our prayers are with those affected by this storm.

 

 

 

 

Goodbye Gold…Hello Neutrals!

Tomorrow our painter comes to start painting the den and fireplace brick….I’m so excited!    Yesterday the carpenter came by and took off the mantel so he could “build it up” and add some trim.    If you remember in a previous post I showed my inspiration photo, and here it is again….

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In fact, my wall color and trim color will be much like hers.

 

I’ve been clearing out the den and trying to find a place for my “things”…..good grief, where did all this stuff come from?     (Please tell me you have lots of stuff too!)

 

 

I found the gorgeous glass candlestick at a local flea market where I also bought a turquoise lamp with burlap shade….can’t wait to put the room together with my turquoise pretties!  (Yes, the tag is still on!)

 

 

Here in the south we’ve had an unusually mild winter….here’s what I saw out my kitchen window this afternoon, my azaleas are blooming!

Yep, my windows are up as it was about 80 degrees outside

 

 

Crazy, huh?