Happy Fourth of July!

I wasn’t planning on doing another patriotic tablescape but while rearranging some of my glassware, I came across these.

They have a thin white stripe running vertically down the glass with a milk glass base.

I purchased this vintage tablecloth a couple of weeks ago at a local moving sale.  It has a very small blue stripe running though it. 

I used my mason jars as my centerpiece and in order to lift them up a little, I used a galvanized pan turned upside down. I’m trying to collect three of these in different sizes to make one a 3 tiered server.  Unfortunately, I’m can’t find a small size.

I kept with the red, white, and blue theme as you can see!  The navy blue placemats are from the Dollar Tree.  I used red square plates, white dinner plate and navy blue salad plates.  I mismatched my flatware using the red, white and blue!

I love the rope detail on the plates.  They were originally from Pier One but I got a whole set at Goodwill for $6!

Now for my tip of the day!  Someone who grows their own blueberries told me that when dealing with fresh blueberries, you shouldn't wash them until you are ready to eat them.  Also, if you want to freeze them, spread the blueberries out on paper and allow to sit overnight.  Then freeze the blueberries loose on a tray.  Once frozen, put in zip loc bags.  Easy Peasy!

I hope everyone has a fabulous 4th!

Sharing with:
Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here
Let’s Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen
Tutorials, Tips, & Tidbits @ StoneGable

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Bubbling Over Tween Bedroom

I wanted to join in at the party at Kelly's Korner blog but Savannah's room is in transition at the moment. So I decided to post pictures of her previous room decor.  It was bright and fun!  I don't remember the shade of blue for the walls and at first I thought OHhhh this is too bright but it turned out great!  The letters were purchased from Hobby Lobby to form her name in the narrow space between the windows.  The curtains and bedding were purchased from JCP.  The outer 2 panels are tie dyed tab tops and the middle panels are blue jeweled thingies.  You can see them best below the window on the right.

This piece has been in our family since I was a little girl.  It went from my mom to my aunt for quite a few years then returned back to my mom to use for my much younger sister (22 years younger) and then it came to me to use for Savannah's room.  The adhesive bubbles and letters were from Lowes. Most of the little accessories were from the Dollar General.

I purchased the metal and iron bed from an antique store about 24 years ago!  I love these old beds, especially for kids!  They are VERY hard to destroy.  The pictures over the bed were taken from a Disney vacation.

I hope to share Savannah's new decor soon.  Since we changed it, SHE decided to change it again that's why I don't want to show it yet.  She went from a slightly modern Parisian theme to as slightly modern country western theme.  TEENAGERS!  What can you do?!?!

Sharing with:

Show Us Your Rooms @ Thrifty Decor Chick

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

White Wednesday @ Faded Charm Cottage 
Swing into Spring Party @ DIY by Design
Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here
Home and Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life

Show Us Your Home @ Kelly's Korner Blog

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

Mason Jars

This past weekend while garage saling, I came across 3 green mason jars with the lids for a buck apiece!  I was planning on trying to compile enough to use as centerpieces for our annual 4th of July party.  I have some family members that have some but now I have a few of my own!

All of the jars had beans already in them including the patriotic red, white, and blue one!

But I needed them for centerpieces, so I emptied the beans and washed them up. I secured a strip of burlap around each jar and layered it with red and white gingham ribbon.

The tables that we are using are 8 foot long so I plan to cover them with white sheets and use a runner down the middle.  I found this blue fabric at Walmart for $1.50 a yard.  I purchased enough to cut them in half so they will run the length of the tables.  The pretty mason jars with the red flowers and gingham ribbon will bring a festive country look to the tables!

Sharing with:

Flea Market Finds @ Her Library Adventures  

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

My Lil Shabby Stool

I've had this little stool for a couple of years now.  I was using it on the porch, it was just the perfect height for sitting my feet on while relaxing in the the wicker chair.

Before I had red leopard print fabric on it but I wanted to put the original needlepoint back on it.  I had removed it because I didn't want it to ruin on the porch.

After I removed the cover and cleaned it up, I painted it a light green.  After it dried, I sanded the finish down, allowing the dark wood to show through.  It was still a little too light so I rubbed it down with a little watered down brown paint.  That did the trick!

I removed the old fabric and attached the needlepoint using upholstery tacks.  I was going to use the staple gun but of course it was no where to be found!

I really like how it turned out!  Now I have to figure out where to pick it!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharing with:

 Furniture Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Shrimp Stew - For the Recipe Box

Shrimp again!  Remember Miss Lucy from PBS?  I shared her Shrimp Casserole and Dirty Rice that I wrote down from her show.  Well, recently I bought a box of cookbooks from an auction just because I saw her cookbook and several of Justin Wilsons.  This past week I tried her Shrimp Stew.

It was VERY easy to make.  It had to be simmered for a short time which I was a little worried about because I didn't want the shrimp to overcook but I decided to follow the recipe to the "T" and it worked out fine.

SHRIMP STEW

3/4 cup flour

3/4 cup oil

1 quart water

1/2 cup chopped onions

1/4 cup chopped bell pepper

2 pounds peeled shrimp

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1/4 cup chopped green onions

Brown flour to make roux.  Gradually add water, then add onions and bell pepper.  Allow to slow boil for 30 minutes.  The gravy should be thick.  Add shrimp, salt and pepper and chopped green onion tops.  Medium boil for 20 minutes.  Turn off heat and serve.  Serves 4-6

I served mine over rice.

And there you have it!  I don't know if this will be my go to for Shrimp Stew in the future but it is in the running!

Sharing with:

Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage

Foody Friday @ Designs by Gollum
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors

On the Menu Monday @ StoneGable  

Beach Side

Today's tablescape is a beach theme in keeping with the Let's Dish party that starts tonight at Cuisine Kathleen's.

I gathered all my goodies on the breakfast table, trying to decide what to use.

The flowers are blooming and since today is all about the beach, I wanted to set the table on the back patio. 

I'm making sure that my pictures don't show the destruction going on behind me.  Remember I told you my husband tore out the pond because he wanted a bigger waterfall?  Well, he's not finished and there is a countdown to the 4th!  We host our bbq in this area and he has to be finished by then!

I started by draping the table with a white table and criss crossing the table with runners I made out of burlap.  I used my shell chargers that I made.  You can see that post here.  I love all the colors of the different sea shells!

From the grays to the reddish orange!  I used the robin's egg blue plate topped with clam shaped clear salad plates.

Bamboo handled flatware adds to the beach theme...

along with the shell and bamboo napkin rings.

Turquoise goblets bring in the color of the ocean.  The butter warmers are a great accompaniment when serving seafood.

In keeping with the sea shell theme, I used my big lantern from Lowes that I had filled with sand, shells and a candle!

I hope you enjoyed my tablescape!  Would you like a little peek at the waterfall?

There it is! A sneak peak though the elephant ears!

Thanks for stopping by!

To see the DIY Shell Plate Chargers, click here.

Plate - Dollar Tree

Salad Plate - Trash to Treasure

Napkins - Ralph Lauren

Napkin Rings - Trash to Treasure

Goblets - JCPenney

Flatware - Marshalls

Butter Warmers - Fabreware

Sharing with:

Centerpiece Wednesday @ The Style Sisters

Let's Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen 

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch 

Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Swing into Spring Party @ DIY by Design

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here
Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch To Yours
Home & Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life
July Before and After Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick

Powder Room Reveal

I changed my powder room up a little.  Before the walls were Ralph Lauren Haystack with accents of red in the room.  I kind of had an exotic theme going on in here!

Now, it's a pretty blue color.  It really brightened up the little room and my coastal art looks great with this color.  You can see how I made that here.

I had to keep a little bit of my animal print! 

I glued some sea shells to the top of the wooden box that sits on the toilet tank.

On top of the little wall cabinet, I added a big ball and a large glass vase with smaller balls.  I love all the different textures they bring to the room.

Originally the room was wallpaper on the lower half but when I painted it the taupe we added the beadboard.  We used a pedestal sink instead of a vanity due to the small size of the room.  All of our interior doors have crystal knobs with skeleton key locks.  On all the doors that have locks, I have a ribbon attached to the skeleton key with either a tassel or in this case another key.  I chose not to have a towel rack for the hand towel because the kids NEVER hung it up anyway!  So, I use a little robe hook and it usually, not always but usually gets hung up!

Last weekend while at a moving sale, I found this cute guest towel. It was only a $1! After washing and drying it, I starched and ironed it. I found an old picture frame that I painted white. I spray painted the cardboard backing and centered the towel. Instant vintage artwork! I love it!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharing with:

Show Us Your Bathrooms @ Thrifty Decor Chick

Newbie Party at Debbie Doo’s Blogging & Blabbing 

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm

Tuesdays Treasures @ Myuncommon Slice of Suburbia  

You're Gonna Love It Tuesday @ Kathe with an E 

Cowgirl Up Party @ Cedar Hill Ranch

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

White Wednesday @ Faded Charm Cottage