Burlap Runner

I’ve been wanting to make a burlap fringed runner for my dining room table for a long time.    A couple of weeks ago I decided it was time.     After measuring the length of my table (70”) and taking into consideration the “drop” of the fringe (I wanted it to be about 8”-10” long) I cut my burlap.    Basically, I cut the burlap in 1/2 which gave me a width of of approximately 23” x 78” long (this was the length of my table plus 8” for the drop).    That’s where I made my mistake.   The fringe starts just at the end of the table instead of dropping down 2-3” BEFORE the fringe starts…does that make sense?    You’ll see what I’m talking about below.    But even with that “mistake” I’m happy with how it looks.    I do plan on making another one the “right” way and using this one on my kitchen table….luckily it fits that table just perfectly!

Enough of my jibber-jabber…let’s get to the pictures!

I painted my dining room in these neutral colors back in 2009 and still love it – which is a record for me!!     (You can read my original post here)  It was my interpretation of the “Something’s Gotta Give” dining room.   It’s the first room you see when you come into my house and it’s so calming.   I love the play of dark and light with my white ironstone.       I’m still happy with my drop cloth drapes too!

 

We keep the two ladder back chairs in there to have extra when we have company….I don’t like them in there but they do come in handy with company.    I think I’m going to put them out in the storage room and bring them in when we have people over.

 

Here’s what I mean by the drop being too short…I wanted the fringe to start about 2-3 inches BELOW where the burlap falls off the top of the table.   

 

 

My granddaughter Taylor was with me one day at Michael’s and she picked out these white pieces and greenery.     That girl knows what her Mimi likes!

 

 

 

I ordered these slipcovers from Ballard's several years ago and they don’t quite fit my chairs so I just folded the top over like a little flap….I can live with that.

So there you have my latest little project.    Thank you for visiting my little corner of the world.    Hope you all are having a fantastic week!

 

Linking to these parties:

Coastal Charm

 

 

here

 

 

here

Update on Ethan

There is breaking news that  the kidnapper is dead and little Ethan is alive.   Details are slowly coming to light.    Ethan turns 6 years old this week and this is the best birthday present he could get!   I believe his birthday is Wednesday.  (You can read the back story here).   Here is a link to the breaking news.

Ethan has been taken to a local hospital for evaluation.   He has been reunited with his family.   You may be able to follow this on the Nightly News tonight….it’s on here (CST) for more in depth coverage.

If you are interested in sending Ethan a birthday card or well wishes here is the address:

Cards for Ethan 

c/o Lt. April McDaniel

400 Headquarters Street

Napier Field, AL 36303

It is also requested the cards be signed inside with the city and state from which they are sent.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your prayers for the safe return of little Ethan.    Praise God for the good outcome for this precious little boy!

Prayers For Ethan

I was going to post about my latest project but it seemed so inconsequential compared to a situation that’s been going on locally for four days.    On Tuesday a man entered a school bus in an attempt to kidnap some children.    When the bus driver tried to stop him, the kidnapper shot and killed him.    A little boy, six years old, fainted and the kidnapper took him off the bus and entered his underground storm shelter with him.    The news has reported the child has Asperger’s and ADHD.    Can you imagine how frightened and scared this little boy is?    His name is Ethan and I would ask that you send up a special prayer for his safe return to his family.    The parents have been able to send him his medication and some coloring books and the authorities are speaking with the kidnapper and Ethan through a PVC pipe in the ground.     Some people are leaving their porch lights on until Ethan is returned to his family.

No one knows what the motive is for the kidnapping or shooting.    Please keep this family and little Ethan in your prayers.

Sweets for your Sweetie

Can you believe we’re only a few weeks away from Valentine’s Day?   Me either!   Time seems to go by so fast lately.    

My husband and I both have a sweet tooth (or would that be sweet teeth?)…anyway we like to have something sweet to eat after dinner at night but since we’re trying to eat a little healthier trips to the Dairy Queen just don’t figure into a healthier lifestyle!   I have a few recipes that are good but not as fattening as those Blizzards or Chocolate Turtle Bowls!  

Here’s a recipe that a friend gave me when we both were doing Weight Watchers.    I don’t remember how many points each slice is but I would think no more than 4 points.     

 

Lemon Pie

• 1 1/2 cups skim milk (or 2% milk)
• 1/2 tub crystal light lemonade (not the whole tub) – (I used 1 1/2 sleeves of the individual servings which I had on hand)
• 1 large box instant fat free sugar free vanilla pudding
• 8 oz. fat free Cool Whip
• Reduced fat graham cracker crust

Mix lemonade and dry pudding mix together then add milk.   Fold in Cool Whip and pour into pie crust.    Refrigerate for about an hour and serve!

 

New Foyer Rug

I recently shared a lamp shade makeover I did for my foyer lamp.    Since I was using black & white/cremes I knew I would have to replace the old rug we’d had in there for years.    I never liked that rug at all…my husband bid on it at an auction and bought it for something like $5.00….yeah, so that should give you an idea of what it looked like.    Really, it wasn’t that bad but just not my style and certainly didn’t “go” with my new black & white color scheme.    It was too contemporary for me anyway…I’m more a traditional kinda girl!

I started looking on line and found several that I liked.    My good friend Kelly over at Talk of the House even went the extra mile and sent me some links….btw, if you aren’t familiar with Kelly’s blog, please be sure to check it out….you’ll thank me later!

I’ve had good luck in the past buying rugs from Overstock.com so that’s where I found my new rug.    And although it could be a little bit bigger, it is perfect in my foyer.   

Still a little “lumpy” but that will settle down in a few days

 

It’s more crème than white but I think that makes it looks more expensive

 

I was able to get this rug with a credit I had at Overstock for a little over $30!    That’s my kind of deal.   

 

 

See how it “goes” with the lamp?    

I’m now officially “done” in my foyer.    I added some black frames with white mats on the wall and need to add some family photos to them but other than that, I’m really pleased at this quick little makeover.

Here’s what I did to achieve this very affordable facelift:

1.    Recovered an existing lampshade with black and white check fabric

2.    Bought a new rug

3.    Used an existing white vase and added some greenery I had on hand

4.    Added black frames with white mats (already owned) on the walls

So for less than $50.00 I got an entire new look for my foyer!     I think I got a lot of bang for my buck.

Next project will be making a burlap runner for the dining room….hope to start working on that this weekend

The Girls

 

Okay, ladies, today I decided I’d do something I’ve never done before (or at least haven’t done in a long time)…I went to be “professionally” measured for a new bra.    Since I’ve entered my “mature years” my body shape has changed and I’ve gained some weight and I was tired of buying and wearing those cheapies I’d pick up at Wal Mart (I can’t believe I admitted that)….although Wal Mart does have some cute ones.

I also wanted a little more support for “the girls” but still have some pretty undergarments without looking all “granny like”.    I ended up with a nude one and a leopard one….I know, my wild side is coming out.      The leopard one is very tasteful but pretty and the nude one I can wear with just about anything.    

Now I just have to do something about my granny panties…..just joking (maybe)!

Dinner and a….Wreck?!

 

 

Last night as we set out for a nice dinner we were involved in a hit and run!    The car that hit us had first come straight across where we were when he was originally sitting in a turn lane…I saw him pull up next to us which blocked our line of vision to merge into the traffic so my husband said he was just going to let the guy go first….all of a sudden I looked over and said “he’s going to hit us” and about that time he plowed into my side of the car…BAM!    I was scrambling over to my husband’s side (driver) as it appeared the car was going to keep coming into my side of the car.    When it all ended my husband got out and I could hear shouting coming from the other car….these days you don’t know what anyone might do so I begged my husband to not say anything but just see about the damage.    I tried calling 911 but was so shook up I couldn’t so I handed my cell phone to my husband and we called the police.    About that time, the driver of other car said he was going to “turn around” and sped off, then made a U-turn and took off down the street where he had just come from!    We got a partial tag number, description of the car and the driver and his passenger….I have never been involved in anything like this!     Thankfully no one was hurt but I’m a little sore today and sitting with a heating pad on my shoulders.     The police think they may be able to track down the owner of the car with the partial tag and description of the car….I hope they do!    The guy probably didn’t have insurance or possibly didn’t have a license…he may even have some warrants out for him….why would he run?

We’ll be taking the car for an estimate tomorrow and getting in touch with our agent so we can start the process of getting our car fixed.    We had just talked on Friday night about taking a little vacation next month so hopefully the body shop can get our car fixed before then.    

So…how was YOUR weekend?

Valentine’s Day Love Banner

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner (a month from today!) I decided to make a little banner for my mantle.    I don’t usually decorate for Valentine’s Day but this year thought I’d do a few things.     I’ve made banners before (here & here) so I knew this would be a quick & easy and no-cost project (the best kind!).    I just cut out my triangles from my template and stenciled “Love” on it.   I wanted to do something a little different so I made the “O” out of a heart.     I ran off a heart pattern on my printer, cut it out and used it as my stencil…..there was a little mistake that you’ll see at the bottom of the heart where the paint smudged under the bottom of the heart but I didn’t think it looked too bad so I left it.     It adds character, right?  

 

 

Maybe I’ll call this my “question mark heart”!  (Ha ha)

 

I haven’t sewed it together yet but just wanted to give you a little preview of how it looks.    I’ll sew it onto twine and use some Valentine ribbon to tie on the ends.

I also found some chalkboard subway art and ran it off to use on my mantle as well.

(source)

My daughter always tells the twins “I Love You To The Moon and Back” so when I saw this I knew it was perfect!

How do you decorate for Valentine’s Day….do you go “all out” or just do a little bit?    I’d “love” to know!

Ballard Inspired Lamp Shade

Now that Christmas is over, I wanted to make a few changes around the house.      I’ve been studying a lot of my Pinterest boards and found that while I love the all white look, black and white really speak to me.    Fortunately, I have a lot of black & white accessories so I decided I’d incorporate those colors throughout the house for a cohesive look.   

“They” say that your foyer, which is usually the first room people see when they come into your home, should give an impression of what is in the rest of the house.    I decided to ramp up my foyer table by adding a new lamp and lamp shade.    The lamp that had been on the foyer table for years was a yard sale find which had served it purpose so I wanted to replace the lamp and use some things I had around the house so this would be a fairly cost effective change.    I found a lamp at my favorite flea market and used a drum shade off another lamp I had (of course, now I have to replace that shade!).    

I’d seen a black and white check shade in the Ballard's catalog but it was waaaay more than I was willing to pay.   I can’t find it on line or in their catalog so I don’t know if they still offer it….both reasons to make one.

There are numerous tutorials on line about covering a lamp shade so I didn’t photograph the steps.    Since the shade I was covering was a drum shade, it was very easy to just cut a piece a little bigger than the shade without having to make a pattern.     After cutting out my piece of fabric, I folded over the top and bottom and pressed it to have a smooth edge.   

 

Then I just hot glued it around the top and bottom edges.

I tried to keep it smooth but after it was all glued down, there were a few wrinkles and the edges didn’t come out as smooth as I wanted.    So I added a piece of trim to the edges.

 

I think it adds a nice finish.    (There was still a wrinkled place but hopefully no one will notice once it’s on the lamp)

Want to see how it looks?    

 

 

Everything on the table I already had.    The only thing this “makeover” cost was the flea market lamp base.

 

 

When my husband came in tonight he even said he liked it!   He either doesn’t notice anything new or doesn’t comment.

I put some old books under the cloche and added a little frame with our initial.    I’ll probably change out the computer printed monogram but since I was trying to use what I had, I just went with it.

 

 

I also added some black and white frames to the mantle and a piece of subway art…of course I need to add a picture to the large white frame.

 

 

I really love how the mantle looks so it will probably stay like this for a while.   See that pretty little shell?    My sweet granddaughter gave that to me at Christmas…she said she picked it up last summer at the beach and knew how much I loved shells!    Sweetness, I tell ya!

Next on my radar is making a burlap runner for the dining room table.    Since I’ve been in “project mode” lately, I hope I can get it cut out and made while I’m in the mood!

If you read my blog lately, you know my SIL went to Miami for the Alabama-Notre Dame game.    He is a H-U-G-E Alabama fan while the rest of us are Auburn fans.     I do want to offer my congratulations to Alabama for a fantastic game….this means our state has won the last 4 BCS Championship games!   

Back In The Saddle (I Hope!)

I’ve been on a somewhat self-imposed blog break for several reasons.    First of all, my husband has been on vacation for the past 3 weeks….let me just say, he can never retire!   My goodness, did that ever upset my little routine!    I enjoy him being home but enough is enough !     Then my mom had a fall which meant time spent in the ER but we were lucky that she only came out with a bruised forehead and black eye.   I came down with a terrible cold on Christmas Day and am just now getting over it….suffice it to say that I’ve just not felt like doing anything!

I’ve had a few little things I’ve been wanting to do around the house and now that he (finally) went back to work and I’m hopefully on the road to feeling better, I’m ready to get started on doing some little projects.    One thing I’ve been wanting to make is a burlap runner for our dining room table.    I bought a length of burlap today for that as well as some fabric to recover a lampshade.     Just a few things to make some little changes around the house.     Just as soon as I get these two things done, I’ll be sure to share them with you.

My grandchildren start back to school tomorrow.    I’ve kept Taylor a good bit, Jackson stayed at work with his mom and dad (they own a business here in town).     Today was her last day with me so we did some special things….she painted a birdhouse and we went to lunch at her favorite restaurant.     I love that she likes spending time with me (and her Pop) as I’m sure there will come a day in a few years she won’t think it’s “cool” to be with us.     So for now, I’m going to enjoy every minute.

On a different note, we are all big Auburn fans except for my my son-in-law who is a huge Alabama fan.    He’s actually in Miami for the Alabama-Notre Dame game tonight.    He flew down with his brother and two other guys…none of them had tickets for the game.     My daughter just called and he was able to buy a ticket….to the tune of $500!     Thankfully he got some Christmas money from his parents so that’s how he spent that.     

It feels good to be back….I’ve missed you all!

Christmas at the Lake, Christmas in my kitchen and Merry Christmas!

Okay, I thought I’d just cover a few things since it seems I’ve lost my blogging mojo lately.     Every year we do our family Christmas at the lake house and this year was no different.    All the “little” kids are getting so big and next year we’ll have another little once as my niece is due to have a baby in June.

Before I share a few pictures I’d just like to say thank you to every single one of you that commented on my last post and kept me in your prayers.    You’ll never know how much that meant to me!     The day after I posted my “debby downer” post, I got an e-mail from a dear friend who said she’d dreamed about me the night before and she’d had a very symbolic dream about my illness which she knew nothing about…the dream was very much related to my illness and within a day or two my problem had vanished!    I know some people might not believe in that type of thing but I just know that with all the prayers offered up the Lord honored them and healed me!    I tried to respond to each and every one of you but if I didn’t get to you, please know your words and prayers mean so much to me.

Then last Monday morning around 1:30 a.m. we got a call that my 92 year old mom had fallen at her assisted living home in the bathroom.    I rushed out, we were in the ER until 5:30 a.m. Monday morning.   They did a CAT scan and x-ray on her leg but no concussion or brain trauma although she had a big goose egg on her forehead.    After getting her settled back in her room I came home to rest.    That afternoon we went out to check on her….she not only got up to eat lunch in the dining room but her goose egg had almost completely vanished!     Now she is just black & blue (and sporting a black eye) but that lady is a real trooper!     God has been so good to her.

Alrighty now, moving on.    I did very little decorating this year.    Just a little hot chocolate station in the kitchen and I decorated the mantle in the den.    That’s about it and truthfully, it’s been very liberating!    After I got over feeling inadequate about not doing my usual “all out” Christmas decorations, I was good with what I’d done.    

I sat out hot chocolate fixins’ on a round wicker charger.   We’ve really enjoyed our hot chocolate station this year….right now there’s not much left of it!    Hubby keeps eating the “smarshmallows” (our granddaughter’s name for marshmallows) and the white and chocolate chips!

 

I found the tin of Peppermint Hot Chocolate Mix at Big Lots of all places…I think it was like $5.00!

 

 

I loved these cute little napkins!

 

I’ve started collecting these vintage Santa mugs….so far I’ve found 3.    I think they are so cute!

 

This is a $$Tree frame and I printed out the wording and just inserted it where a picture ordinarily goes….funny story, when our handy man was here installing my new plate rack, I heard him ask my husband what was “that” referring to the Hot Chocolate Bar…so I made this little sign so he’d know next time he was over here!

 

In my 3 corner cabinet I added a Christmas plate, another of my Santa mugs and some sprigs of faux greenery

 

 

Here’s a couple of collages I put together showing the mantle in my den

 

 

Our day at the lake was beautiful…not a cloud in the sky and not too cold.    Everyone brings a dish so there is plenty to eat.    The kids can run around like crazy.   It gets kind of loud at times but this is the one time of year we all get together and we really enjoy ourselves!

 

The water is really down and I found a huge piece of driftwood that I had my son pick up for me….I know just where I’m going to put it in the house (once I’m sure there are no little critters inside it!)

 

 

 

I just love this picture of my son and grandson!  

 

My brother in law has a real green thumb….look at this plant!

 

Let’s go inside and see what’s goin’ on….

My granddaughter Taylor is in l-o-v-e with Stephanie who is engaged to my nephew….a wedding is planned for next summer

 

My sister fixed these sweets from one of her “Pinterest” pins….don’t you just love Pinterest?

 

Stephanie is enjoying the fire

 

My sweet grandson Jackson (Taylor’s twin) loves nutcrackers so when I found this one I just had to get it for him.    When we’re at the lake the kids just get little gifts with the big ones coming Christmas Day from the grandparents.      Since we’ll be gone Christmas Day, we’ll see daughter and her family on Monday and go see son and his family after we return.

 

On Thursday granddaughter Taylor had her class Christmas party….she invited me to come!    I love that she always wants me to be involved with her school activities and I’m lucky that I’m able to be there for her! 

 

We’re going to the beach with sister and her husband on Christmas Day.    Since I doubt I’ll be posting anymore until after Christmas I want to wish everyone a very blessed Christmas.     Enjoy your time with family and friends and don’t forget the “reason for the season”!

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

In Support of Sandy Hook Tragedy

 

I’m Just Not Feelin’ It!

This month I’ve been blogging five years and in all that time I’ve never hit a blogger’s block like I have since just before Thanksgiving….like my title says “I’m just not feelin’ it”! this year.    We had a death in the family the night before Thanksgiving, I’ve been having some health problems and then last week my daughter had a health scare…fortunately it seems like we’re both on the road to better health.

I’ve done very little, almost none, Christmas decorating this year.      I have two rooms full of stuff down from the attic but every time I look at it, I just get frustrated so I do nothing.    I set up a little hot chocolate bar in the kitchen (which I plan to share soon), put a lighted garland on the mantle in the den and a simple vignette in the dining room.    Not sure what’s wrong but I just don’t feel like doing anything.    However, I have really enjoyed seeing all the beautiful decorations all of ya’ll are sharing.    

We’re supposed to leave for the beach Christmas Day with my sister and her husband but I keep going back and forth on that too.    If we don’t go with them, we are planning on a little trip to the beach for New Years like we did last year.   

Our family Christmas will be at the lake (like every year) on the 22nd and I still haven’t bought the grandkids presents to take to the lake.    Those are usually silly, inexpensive little presents and then they get the “big” gifts from Mimi and Pop on Christmas Day.    

Last week I got my Christmas present from my husband which was having my plate rack in the kitchen rebuilt for the 3rd time!    Seems like the first two times just didn’t work for me so our friend Scott (who I call Chris…inside joke) does all my Honey-Do projects and he did a bang up job.    I will share that too…maybe after the holidays and things settle down a bit.      Whenever I need Scott to do something for me, I always e-mail him with the reference being “401-k project”…my husband says he is funding Scott’s 401-k with all the things I keep adding to my list!    

I hope to get my “groove” back and start blogging again soon….in the meantime I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope your day is filled with family, friends and making wonderful memories!  

Too Busy To Blog!

Starting Monday morning until Thanksgiving week I will be MIA from my blog a good bit.    Here’s how the next two weeks are shaping up for me:

• Monday – my mom and I are going to visit my sister who lives a couple of hours away for the day
• Tuesday - Dr. appt., voting, pick up clothes from alterations, pedicure
• Wednesday - Clean house
• Thursday - Grocery shop and misc. errands
• Friday – Going to Birmingham with daughter for the day
• Friday night – cook a couple of soups & meals for husband (you’ll see why a little further down)
• Saturday – pack and drive to sister’s house (same one I’m going to see Monday)
• Sunday – my sister and I leaving for Gatlinburg for a week!

Was that TMI?  

I’ll be returning the weekend before Thanksgiving.   This year we’re celebrating at my daughter’s house so I’ll be helping her get the house ready and doing lots of cooking.  

Whew!    I’m really looking forward to spending a week in the mountains with my sister.     We’re going to do a lot of sightseeing, shopping, eating (of course) and hope to have a spa day too!     We always have such a good time together…talking about our kids, husbands and our favorite subject….our grandchildren!

I’ll be checking in from time to time on Facebook and blogs but I’m looking forward to unplugging and just enjoying being with my sister.    

Here’s something I pinned today that I try to do every single day…I know no amount of money or “things” can make me feel better than a kind word