Wednesday, January 30, 2013

My Lil Buckaroo


cowboy boots as centerpiece
 
Last week we celebrated Hunter’s 18th birthday.  To see his birthday post, click here.  I wanted to do the table in a way that would reflect some of his childhood memories.  I went into the attic and pulled out his first cowboy boots!  I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them!  The vase that I put inside the boot actually helped it to stand up straight!
 
western cowboy themed tablescape
 
I bought this gun holster for him when he was about 2 years old.  His name is engraved in the leather.
 
western cowboy themed tablescape
 
I used open mouth canning jars as candle holders.  I inserted a picture that would go along with the theme.  The outside of the jar is wrapped in wire with little stars.  I did drop a votive holder inside the jar to keep the candle from damaging the picture.
 
western cowboy themed tablescape
 
I just bought the runner from PB a couple of weeks ago.  It was on clearance for $15!!!  I think it was originally $60.  It worked out perfectly for this table.
 
western cowboy themed tablescape
 
Rattan chargers were topped with white ironstone chargers.  The golden yellow and deep red plates bring out the beautiful colors of the runner.
 
western cowboy themed tablescape
 
Remember my DIY napkin rings?  To see how I made these, click here.  The napkins were also on clearance at PB for $11 for 4!  I don’t get there often but when I do go, I head straight for the sale section!
 
western cowboy themed tablescape
 
cowboy western themed tablescape
 
The blue glass is Moonstone by Fostoria and the iced tea is by Gorham.
 
western cowboy themed tablescape
 
An old rope was coiled around the runner to fill in the empty spaces.
 
western cowboy themed tablescape
 
My lil buckaroo is a young man now!  A young man that I am proud to call my son!
 
 
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
Sharing with:
Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters
Let’s Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen
Tablescape Tuesday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper
Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life
Before & After Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick

Sunday, January 27, 2013

A Dish Lover’s Best Friend


plate with gray and black marks
 
Look’s pretty bad, doesn’t it?  Savvy thought I was crazy for buying it, LOL!  It’s a piece of Fiesta that I picked up at GW for 59 cents and I needed another yellow plate.  Last week, I also purchased a whole set of white Pottery Barn dinnerware that also had a few utensil marks on it but nothing like this!  I was planning on buying the Bar Keeper’s Friend that I had read about on Pinterest.  Now I had the ultimate test piece.  Would it or wouldn’t it work?  Let’s see….
 
plate half cleaned with Bar Keepers friend
 
It most definitely worked!  I left one side alone while I cleaned on the other.  It took about 3-4 times scrubbing with the cleaner and a brush but it definitely worked!  I was so excited!
 
get utensil marks off
 
I purchased it from Ace Hardware for less that $3.  The consistency reminded me of Comet cleaner.
 
Fiesta plate cleaned with Bar Keeper's friend
 
According to the can, it cleans quite a bit.  Lately I have been cleaning like mad with baking soda and vinegar which works wonders but it didn’t work on this plate.  After I use this on my PB dinnerware, it will be looking like new!
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
Sharing with:
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Tweak it Tuesday @ Cozy Little House
Make it Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House
Cowgirl Up @ The Farmhouse Porch
Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Open House @ No Minimalist Here
Tips, Tutorials & Tidbits @ StoneGable
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Winter Party @ DIY by Design
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Before & After Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick

Sunday Bible Study - A New Series

 

 

Hello, everyone!  I hope you are having a joyous Sunday!  Starting next week, I will be having Bible Study each Sunday.  I enjoy studying the scriptures and wish to share some things that I have learned.  I hope that you will also contribute your thoughts as well! 

 

Please understand that this will be from my viewpoint.  If you don’t have the same beliefs as I do, I fully understand and accept that.  I am not wanting to force my beliefs on anyone, I only want to share and hope to learn more from others.

 

It has been many years since I studied the book of Proverbs but I believe I will start there.  We can learn many lessons from this valuable book.  Please join me, next Sunday as we look at Chapter 1 of the book of Proverbs!

 

Blessings,

Tammy

Friday, January 25, 2013

Happy 18th Birthday, Hunter!


my baby boy!  10 lbs 3 ozs
 
Eighteen years ago today, our baby boy was born!  He weighed 10 pound 3 ounces and was born at 38 weeks!  He was a little butterball!  Yes, I had a c-section….thank goodness!  Neither of my children wore newborn sizes, they both started out in 3 month sizes.  You can see in his picture above that the neck of his little outfit couldn’t be buttoned!
 
our baby boy at 3 weeks
 
Here he is at 3 weeks.
 
Our baby boy @ 12 mos
 
Jumping ahead to 12 months, you can see the little curls that he is starting to get.
 
Christmas 1997
 
At three, he had a head full of curls.  I must say I put off cutting it as long as I could.  He almost had an afro before it was!  Looking at his baby pictures, just bring back such cherished memories!
 
045
 
Today, he has come a long way from that chubby little baby!  He still has to keep his hair short, if not he will have a head full of frizz!  We are so proud of the young man that he has become!  He has a good heart and is always helping others, especially our elderly neighbors.  I thank God each and every day for blessing me!
 
043
 
Happy Birthday, Hunter!  We love you!!!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

How to Cook Green Beans the Old Fashioned Way


The number one Google  search that brings visitors to my blog is my recipe for butter beans!  To see that post, click here.  Instead of fancy recipes, a lot of people are just looking for basic recipes.  I’m no great cook by any means and it was probably 20 years before I figured out how to cook butterbeans!  Now, I want to share how I cook green beans or, as some say, snap beans!
 
old fashioned green bean recipe
 
Old Fashioned Green Beans
2  heaping tablespoons of bacon grease
2 teaspoons of minced garlic
1/2 small onion, chopped
29 ounce can of cut green beans
chicken broth
salt & pepper to taste
1.  Melt bacon in medium stock pot.
2.  Add garlic and onions, sauté until soft.
3. Add green beans, tossing until coated.
4.  Add pepper.
5.  Add chicken broth, enough to cover beans.
6.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer.  Cook approximately 20 minutes. 
7.  Add salt last.  Since the chicken broth has it’s own salt you don’t want to add to much.
 
That’s it.  Very easy but very loaded with flavor.  I don’t actually measure out the ingredients so you can adjust them to fit your taste.  Even though bacon grease is used, the beans will not be oily, if they are you have used too much grease.  The grease is only to provide the flavor!
 
old fashioned green bean recipe
 
Just a simple little recipe for the family cook!  Thanks for stopping by!
 
Sharing with:
Foodie Friday @ Designs by Gollum
On the Menu Monday @ StoneGable
Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen’s Country Cottage
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Back for Seconds Social @ Back for Seconds
Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Winter Ice


winter ice tablescape
 
Hope everyone is having a good day!  We’re having a beautiful sunny day here in south Louisiana with highs in the low 60’s!  Even though we don’t have any ice outside, I wanted to join in at the party starting tonight over at Cuisine Kathleen’s.
 
winter ice tablescape
 
I started by draping the table in a large piece of silver fabric that has a slight shimmer to it.  You may remember it from my Halloween table which you can see here.
 
winter ice tablescape
 
Silver trimmed dinner plates are topped with a clear salad plate so the snowflake can show though.
 
winter ice tablescape
 
Wine glasses are Marquis by Waterford.  I recently purchased 4 of them from Goodwill for $15.99!  They were brand new, still had the labels on them!  How sweet is that?!?  The iced tea glasses are by Gorham.
 
snowflake wine charms
 
Silver wine charms continue the wintry theme.
 
snowflakes as vase filler
 
I used silver champagne goblets for dessert glasses.  For the centerpiece, I used a large glass vase.  I filled it up with artificial snowflakes and inserted some branches from the yard.
 
make iced brances using spray adhesive and epsom salt
 
I sprayed the branches with spray adhesive and rolled them in Epsom salt.  I then sprayed them a final time to give the “ice” some staying power.
 
winter ice tablescape
 
I drizzled the snow over the table to fill in the extra spaces.  Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Wherever you are, I hope you are comfy, warm and dry!
 
Sharing with:
 
Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters
Let’s Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen’s
Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper
Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
Tips, Tutorials, @ Tidbits @ StoneGable
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Open House @ No Minimalist Here

 

Monday, January 21, 2013

Old Tool Tote as Cutlery Holder


vintage tool tote as cutlery holder
 
I’ve been in Hunter’s barn…again!  This time I “borrowed” this little wooden tool tote.  He had a bigger one but wouldn’t let me take that one!  I applied a coat of chalk paint, almost dry brushing it one to allow some of the wood to show through.
 
old tool tote used as cutlery holder and is easy to decorate for different holidays
 
Since, it’s on the smaller side, I had to use jelly jars to hold the cutlery.  In keeping with Valentine’s Day, I inserted a solid pink and a floral napkin.  This is a great way to add, not only color, but prints for the different holidays/seasons. 
 
old tool tote into cutlery holder
 
I also used some Johnson Brothers plates to go along with the theme!  I got a whole set of 4 including a platter of $9.99 at Goodwill!  I saw the young man bringing them out the back and asked him to walk on up front for me to the register!  LOL!  They didn’t even make it to the shelf!
 
basket for cutting boards and utensils
 
While I was snapping pictures, I thought I’d show you my cutting boards.  I’ve been picking up some here and there and wanted to display them.  I came up with using a basket and also had enough space for crocks to hold the big utensils.  I would like a darker basket and will be keeping my eyes open for one at GW.
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
Sharing with:
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Tweak It Tuesday @ Cozy Little House
Cowgirl Up! @ The Farmhouse Porch
Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life
Tips, Tutorials,& Tidbits @ StoneGable
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Winter Party @ DIY By Design
Open House @ No Minimalist Here
 Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Overflowing with Creativity @ It's Overflowing
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Tea for Two

 

a walk in the countryside: tea for two

 

I had planned on a table for two and serve dessert.  One night, I cooked some delicious lemon bars and specifically pointed out the really pretty ones that were not to be eaten….you know to get a good picture!  LOL!  The next day I went to town with my husband and when we got back there were no more lemon bars!!!  Hunter had eaten all of them!  I know he was the culprit because Savannah doesn’t like lemons!  So my table is minus a dessert!

 

a walk in the countryside: silver tea set 

 

I used my silver tea set that my mom gave to me.  Her sister gave it to her almost 50 years ago!

 

a walk in the countryside: tea for two

 

The pretty tea cups are from Goodwill. They were even in a pretty box lined with satin.

 

a walk in the countryside: pretty pink tea cup

 

I love the curve of the saucers.

 

a walk in the countryside: candlewick dish

 

The candlewick candy dish is also from GW.  To determine the difference between candlewick and boopie glass, click here to see my previous post.

 

a walk in the countryside: tea for two

 

You can see a little of the etched glass under the strawberries.

 

a walk in the countryside: crystal candlestick by godfinger

 

The candlesticks were a recent Christmas gift.  They are made by Godfinger.

 

a walk in the countryside: crystal candlestick by godfinger

 

Here’s a little closer look.  Also the tablecloth is actually a shawl, another GW find.

 

Thanks for stopping by:

 

Sharing with:

Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters

Let’s Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Sunday, January 13, 2013

DIY Napkin Rings using Ornaments


Did you hit the after Christmas sales this year?  I did.  I wanted some new lights but they were the first things to go.  This past weekend Hobby Lobby had their Christmas marked down to 90% off.  It was pretty picked though but there were some things left.
 
a walk in the countryside: DIY napkin rings from christmas ornaments
 
When I came across some miniature ornaments that weren’t really Christmassy, I knew what I wanted to do with them!  I have been trying to plan a tablescape for Hunter’s 18th birthday and the western thing was just the way to go!
 
a walk in the countryside: diy napkin rings using metal ribbon
 
I first took this metal ribbon and cut it in strips.  I used another napkin ring to determine the length. After bending the ribbon into a circle, I used some glue to connect the ends.  I used clothes pins to hold them secure until they dried as seen in the picture below.
 
a walk in the countryside: diy napkin rings from metal ribbon
 
While they were drying, I took the small ornaments and jiggled the hook until it slipped out.
 
a walk in the countryside: diy napkin rings from ornaments
 
a walk in the countryside: diy napkin rings from ornaments
 
After the ribbon was dry, I used hot glue to attach the ornament.
 
a walk in the countryside: make your own napkin rings from Christmas ornaments
 
And this is the finished product!
 
a walk in the countryside: make your own napkin rings from Christmas ornaments
 
a walk in the countryside: diy napkin rings from ornaments
 
For 90 cents, I have a set of 6 custom western themed napkin rings!
 
a walk in the countryside: make napkin rings from Christmas ornaments
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
Sharing with:
Newbie Party @ Debbie Doos
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Cowgirl Up @ The Farmhouse Porch
Winter Party @ DIY by Design
Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll thru Life
Tweak it Tuesday @ Cozy Little House
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Tutorial, Tips & Tidbits @ StoneGable
Open House @ No Minimalist Here
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors