love my simple home

Antique Sewing Table

March 31, 2014, in Thrifting

Picking Through The Trash

PART I

This antique sewing table was a freebie.

It was at the curb for garbage pickup.

It is in disrepair but has the potential of becoming something really cool.

I placed it in the living room/entryway of our home.

It is really beat up but I don't mind. I love everything about it.

The top flips open and the drawer has three small compartments

aren't they neat?

Do you notice the chain hanging behind the tub cover?
I think it adds a little industrial charm.

My manager watching me from the stairs above

So serious

It's missing a piece of decorative wood.

I'm sure I can figure something out on how to solve that.

I like the detail on the knobs.

I have two ideas for the location of this sewing table and how I might use it.:

#1: Leave it where it is and use it as an entry table.
OR
#2: Put it in the kitchen and use it as a planter for herbs or spring flowers.

STAY TUNED FOR PART II .....

Flip Your Rug

March 27, 2014,

Baby, it's cold outside......I can't believe I'm still saying that because it's spring... right? I'm finding it hard to motivate myself for spring cleaning when it's cloudy, windy, and cold. How about You?

My Motivation

Don't you think spring cleaning should be like TV commercials? Where women happily dance around their home cleaning windows, countertops, and carpets.... smiling...the sunlight pouring in and the birds chirping.
The fact is I hate to clean but love to decorate but they kind of go hand in hand and you can't decorate and make it look pretty without the cleaning.

So today with the wind howling leaves swirling and the clouds billowing above. I thought I would give our area rug some TLC. I usually vacuum the top of my rug, but to give it a good clean I am flipping it over and will vacuum the underside.

I put on some music and got to work.

First, remove everything off the rug..my sweet dog was the hardest to move.

Then vacuum and flip it.

My rug is fairly small and was easy to flip by myself. If you have a larger rug you might need some help flipping it over and putting it back in place.

Next vacuum the underside
It's amazing what you can find under there:
I found a pen that's been missing and some smashed crackers.
Yes, we like to eat snacks on our couch while we watch TV.

Did you know by vacuuming the underside of your rug you are protecting your floor from scratches?

Dirt falls to the bottom of your rug. When you walk on it, the dirt can scratch the floor.

Flipping your rug is a cheap way to protect your floor and find missing objects.

Flip Side

After I flipped it I was actually thinking of keeping it like this. I like the muted colors and the rough texture.

Hey has anyone thought of this?... using the underside of your rug instead of the regular way?
It might be nice for summer.

Flip Back

Replace Your Furniture And Dog

Thanks For The Visit!

Waiting For Spring

March 24, 2014,

Hi friends, I sure hope it is feeling like spring in your neck of the woods! Even though spring is officially here, I woke up this morning to cold temperatures with a prediction of snow.

I'm Waiting For Spring...Are You?

All Dressed In Pink & Blue

Hydrangeas

I Can't wait until these start blooming again!

HAPPY SPRING!

My favorite blue cupboard

March 18, 2014,

Hi Friends

I purchased this cupboard for $5.00 at a yard sale. It was love at first sight.

I knew exactly where it would go... my workroom.

It's a little beat up but I don't mind because I use it to store all of my paints.

The wire doors are great because I can see exactly what I have.

The top door holds empty containers for painting. If you look close you can see the red container is Duncan Hines chocolate frosting......

The middle door holds cans of spray paint, Brillo pads, and sandpaper.

The bottom door holds cans of house paint and paint samples.

A Benjamin Moore paint fan hangs from the top knob. It was a freebie from a Benjamin Moore promotion.

Each door pulls down and is held closed with small wooden hinges.

A close-up of what I have on top:

The green and pink color file was another freebie from Benjamin Moore. It has a notepad and an accordion folder inside.

The child size toolbox was my daughters & holds craft paint and brushes.

Baskets for extra storage

I love having all my paint supplies in one spot.

This little cupboard was handmade and is painted my favorite color.

BLUE

Do you believe in love at first sight?

Honey What's For Dinner?

March 17, 2014,

Stuffed Red Peppers

This is my tweak on a recipe from my favorite cookbook.
It is high in fiber, low in calories and very healthy.

I love red bell peppers they are sweet, juicy and colorful. They're packed with important nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin B6, folic acid, thiamine and beta carotene. Research shows that red bell peppers contain higher levels of nutrients than their green counterparts.

I was so happy to see them on sale at the grocery store.

I purchased three large peppers, which is enough to feed my small family of three including leftovers.
My husband had a Great Idea! to use the leftover rice to make a burrito for lunch the next day.

Favorite Cookbook

My tweaking of the recipe:

I used red bell peppers and cut them in half, used Baby Bella mushrooms instead of meat.
{ My husband does not eat meat.}

I used crushed tomatoes instead of whole. Just my preference. {I don't like the chunks}
Used brown rice {healthier} instead of white.

SIMMER

STIR IN CHEESE

STUFF

BAKE

SERVE

ENJOY!

When Irish eyes are smiling

March 13, 2014,

{HI FRIENDS}

This petite tea set was given to us by my mother-in-law who lost her battle to emphysema 3 years ago. We miss her very much and she will always remain near and dear in our hearts. Over the years she has given us many lovely gifts. This one reminds me of her the most.