Wednesday, May 9, 2012

A girl can't have to many Vera's!

I don't know about the rest of the country but here in the south a  Vera Bradly bag (or two)  is a must have.  Friday night one of my teacher friends called and informed me that her and her mother were having a garage sale and wanted to know if I was interested in a Vera purse that her mother was selling.  It was black and white with large flowers on it(Night and Day).  I knew exactly the pattern it was.  It was one that I wanted but didn't want to pay full price for.  She said how much do you want to pay for it?  I hate that question, it is like a loaded gun!!!!  The smart answer....  answer with a question - How much do you want for it?  There was a pause and then, how about the Candice price......$20.00.  SOLD!!!!!(she has sold me another Vera bag that has gone on many trips with me for the same price.)

Isn't it pretty?  And what a deal.  I think it may have been used one time.  Not a wear mark or smudge on it!!!!  Getting something so pretty and at such a great price makes me soooo happy!!!!!!

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Monday, March 19, 2012

A New Look!


The first sign that you have to many treasures:  You open the back of the van and there is a piece of furniture you forgot you had!!! 

That is the story of this cute little stool!  I found her at an estate sale.  She is in pretty good shape and looked good with out me doing anything except updating the fabric on the seat.  But I just can't resist a good make over.  Here is her Cinderella story........





The red fabric was really stiff and nubby.  I'm thinking it's from the 50's  Then the dusty rose from the 80's
I had split a can of ASCP in Paris Gray with my friend over at Magnolia Bend and hadn't painted anything with it.  After all if ya don't like it, it can be painted a different color!
I'm pleased with the color.  Now for the glazing.  Yes I'm still glazing... can't waste that money and the dark wax is expensive.
This is her after the glazing.
Next and the part I like the least is the buffing after the waxing.
Boy what a difference in the feel of the paint after you wax and buff.  It is silky smooth.
I love this staple gun!  I would have never thought that I would actually own one.
I didn't remove the other fabric I think it tells a story about the piece.
I love fabric that you can use either side. 
I'm very happy with her new sophisticated look!
My girls oohed and aahed over her and made me feel really good!

But the best thing was when Kelly who is in her last year of grad school, asked if I would help her paint furniture when she got her apartment!  A mom's dream come true.......

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Primp Your Stuff Wed.
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Sunday, February 12, 2012

Dinner in under an hour!!!!


I'm confessing right up front.....I don't like to cook!  I use to be a pretty good cook until I had children!  It was always 2 liked it and 2 didn't.  The only universal foods were Pot roast on Sundays and the Friday night pizza.  Then there is the child that doesn't like cheese and the one that doesn't really like pasta,  what's left to cook????  They have ruined my potential of becoming a great cook!!!  Oh and not to mention working all day and coming home to those dreaded words...."Mom, what's for dinner?"  Well here is one of my solutions to that dreaded time of day or for those of you who like to cook this is a wonderful dinner that your family and friends will love no matter what your cooking style!!!!   

I was lucky and got to the Kroger just as they had put out some discounted meat.  I got 4 beautiful pork chops for the price of a hamburger combo!

My sister Debbie told me this is how she cooked her pork chops.
                            

I like to trim the fat off my meat first.  Then I spray the frying pan with pam and get it hot so I can get a good sear on my meat.  I brown both sides and season them well with my two favorite things.  See below!

I love love love Greek seasoning and put it on everything!!!!  The ladies I work with laugh, but I have converted a couple!  My other standby is onion powder.  If you have those that freak over bits of onion in their food this is a good way to get the flavor with out the evidents!!!
After I have the meat browned with the seasoning and OH Boy it smells good, I heat up a cup of water in the microwave and put in a spoon full of beef granuals.

then I pour it over the pork chops!


Cover and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes depending on the thickens of the pork chops.


Side dish #1
This has become one of my family's favorite ways to eat potatoes.  Hope you will try it!

We like potatoes and these are small so about 2 per person and then one....who doesn't like left over mashed potatoes for lunch!

Peeled washed and ready to cut!


If you cube the potatoes it will cut down on the cooking time.   
Ann and Bobby would be so proud of my knife skills!!!

Along with the potatoes I put in fresh garlic cloves.  I used about 5 small cloves.  The garlic will cook and get tender just like the potatoes.

Did you know that if you rubbed your hands with a stainless spoon after handling garlic that it would take the garlic smell out of your skin!

Strain the water off the potatoes when they are tender (other words when you stab the potato and the fork comes out easily).  You won't even see the garlic it just blends in with the potatoes.

Next you will need some milk and butter and I like to mix my potatoes with my hand mixer.  I like my potatoes with a thicker constancy so I use a small amount of milk.  If you like what is called "whipped" potatoes you could use more milk.  Start out with a small amount because you can always add more.  I also put the butter in while the potatoes are hot to give them extra flavor.  This is also when I add the salt.  Not to much because you don't need that much with the garlic.

Don't they look yummy!



Side Dish #2

You can't go wrong with a bag of Steam'able Veggies.  Just follow the directions on the back.  After cooking I added a pat of butter and some sea salt.

                           
Dinner is served!!!!

Bon Appetit!


It was Delicious!!!  45 minutes start to table.  I hope you will try this and see if it makes your family as happy as it does mine!!!!


~ Sally ~

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Monday, January 23, 2012

Does it work?

I'm always looking for a short cut when it come to cleaning. After working all day and then coming home and being the care giver for Kenneth, I need help!!!  So when I saw on pintrest a no scrub method for cleaning the burner drip pans on your stove ( On Good Thing by Jillee).  Since my stove got a beating over the holidays I thought I would give her method my own does it work challenge.  Here's my results.........

Take one pretty bad looking drip pan.  This one  has seen a lot of cook'n!



Next you will need  a gallon Ziploc bag and some ammonia.
Place the drip pan in the Ziploc bag.  Pour in a splash of ammonia and zip up the bag.  Let is set over night.


I think it worked pretty well.  This pan is more than 7 years old and the paint is dull. BUT there isn't any crusty stuff on it, no ruined manicure or split nails!!!!!  All I did was use dish washing soap to wash the ammonia off!
I hope you will give it a try!  thanks Jillee for the great tip!

I think I will link up to the following parties.....

Metamorphosis Monday

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

X's and O's


This apothecary jar looks so pitiful empty after housing my vintage Christmas ornaments.  I have been thinking about what I could put in her.  Last night I was at Target and took a quick scan of the dollar bends. Take a look at what I found......


I found these plastic gems for $2.50 a box

they're so cut!

they look like candy!  Hope I can convince the grand kids we can't eat them.

They looks so pretty.  I LOVE this affordable Valentine Day decoration!

XOXOXOXO