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Saturday, August 30, 2008

Taking a bow......................


I received the Primitive Excellence Award from Rondell at

Thank You, Rondell!!

There are rules for this award so here they are.

1.) Copy and put the Award Logo on your Blog.

2.) Add a link to the Person who awarded you.

3.)Nominate 7 blogs who haven't received the award yet.

4.) Add links to those blogs on your blog.

5.) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs!
Here are my seven and as you all know this is so hard to do:

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/
is giving away a $25.00 gift certificate, how neat is that? Post on your blog and you get two chances to win!!!

Friday, August 29, 2008

fat friday-phat girl's caramel apple dip

good friday morning! :)

phat girl's caramel apple dip

Apple Caramel Dip
1 pkg (8oz) cream cheese
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 container caramel (usually found in the produce section)
1 pkg skor bits
Granny Smith apples, sliced
1. Beat the cream cheese with brown sugar until smooth. Spread thinly onto large serving plate.2. Heat the caramel slightly (about 15 second in microwave) to make spreadable. Spread on top of cream cheese.
3. Sprinkle the package of Skor bits all over the top.
Serve with sliced Granny Smith apples for dipping.
**If you are not serving the fruit right away and you are cutting them up a bit ahead of time as I did yesterday, squeeze the juice of a lemon over the pieces and give them a bit of a toss to coat them all with it in order to keep the fruit from turning brown.

p.s. i have some things ending soon on ebay. check them out.
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZfire$$$

Thursday, August 28, 2008

A Brighter, but Rainy Day...........

Good morning all,

First I want to say thank you for all the comments and concerns on my last post.
I have not heard anything or seen anything from that person. I don't know why all of a sudden he was here. I don't know and dont care. I want to be left alone.
I had already moved on .


On to better things,
I have so many posts from you all to read up on. Everyone has been busy. :)
I missed "Whatcha Working on Wednesday" and I don't have any Show & Tell pics for you today. I did some yard saling last weekend but after the drama , I just put them away.




Is it raining where you are? We really needed the rain here in Ohio. I don't mind it at all.
I know some places may have gotten more than they want and New Orleans is set for a storm. I think of those folks alot when they talk of hurricanes. I am sure after Katrina they would rather never have to think of another storm. I can't imagine years later not being able to be in your own neighborhood, in your own house.


So, what are your plans for the weekend? I need to get some sewing done and get to the post office. I am late on getting some things out. If you are someone waiting on something from me ; please accept my apology. Life sometimes throws us curves and I sure had one this week.

Monday, August 25, 2008

I keep asking why...........

It's Monday and I am here posting I don't know what.
Instead of my usual post of weekend yard sale finds, I feel like I just need to talk.
A few years ago I was in a relationship that I thought was going to be perfect. Instead, the person I thought I was in love with was all about lies and deceit. This weekend, this person made an appearance in my life. a very scarey appearance.
Late Friday night and Saturday morning I received a couple phone calls that were hang ups. Honestly, I didn't think anything about it. I figured it was telemarketers.
Saturday afternoon I came home to find this guy on my porch. We had a few words that were not so nice and yes, I ended up calling the police but,by the time they arrived
he was already gone .
More hang ups on Saturday night. Yesterday , the phone rang and he said alot of mean things, hateful, ugly things to me. I have stuck close to home all weekend. My daughter is still in Columbus.
Why do people have to be like that? Why do they have to cause so much pain?
How can you profess your love to someone and still try to destroy them?
I feel like its a nightmare that won't end. It's sad because I really tried to make it work with this guy at one time. He told me things would be better, he told me he would change.
Why do people lie??
Why can't life be like you dream it?

Friday, August 22, 2008

Fat Friday & more goodies in the mail..........

Whew!! I can't believe it's almost 5:30 pm. I have been busy all day!! I went to a couple yard sales this morning, came home, planted some mums , cleaned house and saw my dd#2 off to Columbus for the weekend. Her and Halley (a friend) are going to stay at Halley's moms this weekend and make salsa.
So, till Monday afternoon, I am by myself. Well, me , the dog and cats. They don't talk much so it's pretty much like being by yourself. :)

Here are my recipes for Fat Friday..
mexican casserole

1 ½ cups salsa
1 can cream of mushroom
1 cup sour cream
1 can minced/diced green chilies
1 can of whole kernel corn, drained well
Mix all together
Brown 1 lb hamburger, then add above ingredients.
Layer 9x13 pan with tortilla chips or Doritos (my favorite), meat mixture, cheese, black olives.... until pan is full to the top. Make a topping of cheese your last layer.
bake @ 350* for 20 mins.
Anything left over will go soggy, so eat it all. :)

and a snack mix..................
White trash

1 cup Cheerios®
1 cup corn OR rice Crispex®
1 cup pretzel sticks
1 cup peanuts OR cashews
12 oz. bag vanilla baking chips / white chocolate chips
1 Tbls. vegetable oil
Combine cereal, pretzels, and nuts in bowl; set aside.-Melt vanilla chips in the microwave or in the top of a heated double boiler.-Stir oil into melted vanilla chips.-Pour vanilla mixture over dry mixture and stir to coat.-Press onto waxed paper and allow to cool overnight.-Break up into pieces before serving.
try substituting Golden Grahams and Cinnamon Life, it's great.
Or
Try adding some m&m’s.

I also want to show you some goodies I received in the mail today. I had participated in a thrift store swap over at the primitive & rustic board on Delphi forums.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?webtag=dp-hobbies&nav=index

Thank you Rhonda!!



Bye ,Kim

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Show & Tell... Mail and more!!!

Good Thursday Morning!!
First, I want to apologize for not participating in Leslie's,"Whatcha working on Wednesday". I really missed it. It's just that things were crazy around here!
But, I am back today!
Check out my new "sign". tee hee.
It's the letters from Scrabble. :).Don't you think it would be cool if someone made bigger ones like that? You could change out your sayings all the time. I guess for now I will use these on my table.... I will change the sayings as the mood hits me. :)

I got some great things in the mail yesterday!!
I want to give a big thank you to a couple of my bestest blogging friends!! first, Deena of
http://deenasstory.blogspot.com/

and Tammy from
http://theoldehollowcrow.blogspot.com/

I received this wonderful journal from Deena. I am loving it!! Deena ya got to know, this is the most frilly,feminine thing I own!! I am loving it! You have really touched my heart!!

front cover, ribbon and tags

back cover, even the inside flaps are beautiful. I love the scripture verse!

Thank You Deena, so much!!!

Next , on my porch was a box filled with these great goodies!! Thank You Tammy!!
close up of witch hat ornies

hand stitched towel, grubby punkins, soap, and another pic of witch hat ornies.

Thank you so much for the note too!!
What awesome goodies I got today in the mail!!
Yes, I feel loved!!! :)

Before I forget, I want to apologize to my pay it forward gals because you havent received your little packages from me. I had given them to dd#2 to send out. Well, the whole bag , including my NOW overdue library books were still in her tote- in the trunk!!
Thanks to kindra for inquiring or they probably would have been there another week!
Fear not, they are being sent out!

Have a great day everyone!! I am off to check out some yard sales. as soon I drink some coffee , that is.
Bye, Kim

Monday, August 18, 2008

Fall Decorating, Weekend Finds & More........

Hello, Its Monday!! :)
First, I want to post a pic of my beginnings at fall decorating.
I started dragging some things out of storage on friday.
The top of the tv armoire is done.
There is still a bunch I need to go through and decide whether or not I am keeping .
I couldn't believe that I had as much fall stuff ; as I do christmas.




I went to just a couple yard sales this weekend. I really wasnt in the mood but knew if
I didnt stop , then I would regret it on Monday.

I picked up these books for 25 cents. the hummingbird book( which is a little blurred in the pic) has beautiful watercolor pics in it. I didnt realize there were so many different kinds of hummingbirds. :).
The flea market finds book is awesome! Lots of great ideas for those t2t finds.
The book on building sheds and other buildings has great info.
I had looked at it online before.


Some more goodies.
the table mat ( 25 cents) is going in a thrift store swap that I am in.
the basket - 50 cents
small basket 10 cents
hardback book 25 cents
old bear pattern - freebie!!
white cotton sugar bag( in bottom of pic) was $1.00
large (4 yard)piece of cream flannel.) also, $1.00!




We got my dad's deck sealed.
Also came home and did mine. Sunday morning I was watering flowers, got the deck wet and slipped off the step. Stupid me!! I got a big 'ol bruise on my leg and I feel stiff. :(



Look! Look!


I got an award from http://blacksheepprims.blogspot.com/
AND
http://thissimplelifeofmine.blogspot.com/

Thank you so both sooo much!!
It is such an honor to receive these blog awards.
The rules of the award are:
1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of those you’ve nominated.
I'm nominating the following blogs for the "I Love Your Blog"
award.
1. http://meggiecat.blogspot.com/
2. http://thenestegg08.blogspot.com/
3. http://heathersheartfeltstitches.blogspot.com/
4. http://primitivesbythelightofthemoon.blogspot.com/
5. http://kariandkijsa.blogspot.com/
6. http://freshvintage.typepad.com/freshvintage/
7. http://emilyfranz.blogspot.com/

be back soon,
kim

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Saturday's Post.........

What are you doing today?

I am heading out the door to check out a yard sale or two and to get some groceries. So glad I don't have to ride in a wagon! :)

I don't mind grocery shopping. I consider it a challenge. Well actually, its two challenges. one- finding the best bargains, two- dealing with the other shoppers. :)
There is not much choice in our town of where to shop. We have Walmart( of course, they are everywhere!), Riesbeck's, More For Less(Riesbeck's little sister) and Aldi's.
I like them all!
I get most of our basics from Aldi's.
We try not to do alot of shopping at Walmart. Why you may ask?? Cause I would rather give my business to the small town stores than to a corporation. maybe my shopping( or lack of shopping ) doesnt make a huge difference, but it makes me feel better. I even search the thrift stores for fabric( wool pants, jackets, cotton sheets for dolls, etc) instead of purchasing fabric from there either.
I wish we had a Marc's store closer to us. The first time I went to one was about a month ago. We were in Canton, Ohio and I really like that store. I had bought a jar of MID'S spaghtetti sauce and loved it(and it's made in Ohio)!!
http://www.mids.cc/index.html

Before I go, I want to tell you about another giveaway!!
Sue @ http://countrypleasures.blogspot.com/
is having one! Please stop by and sign up!!

Be back soon,
Kim

Friday, August 15, 2008

Fat Friday, Homemade bskts., giveaway & more

Good Morning!
I need to go to my dad's and put some CWF-UV on his deck. On father's day all of us got together and had a 'work" day at dad's. Sealing the deck was one thing we didnt get done then.
Some of you know that my dad had a stroke earlier this year. Actually, he had a heart attack and was life flighted last November too. Needless, to say, I thank God for his health and well being right now.


We are planning on having another yard sale soon. I am trying to go through my seasonal stuff and declutter. I have way too many "cute" things and want more prim goodies. :)
I am also doing a trade with a friend on a forum. She wants some vintage goodies( aprons, cookie cutters, chenille, etc) and is getting rid of her Longaberger baskets. I am going to trade her and then use the baskets for gifts. I think its a win-win situation. :)
I used to make baskets when the girls were younger..
Basket making is something I really enjoy.
I need to gather supplies and start creating again.(But make them more primitive.):)
Below is just a sample of the baskets I have made.

Gardening basket
garden basket

soap holders, cookie basket( in the back)and trash can holder
dish soap baskets

lamp basket
mini lamp basket


I will post a few more on another day. :)


on to fat friday recipe.........................

Johnny Marzetti

** very cheesy and meaty and heats up very well for lunch the next day. Actually this recipe makes a whole lot, so it's good for lunch for the next few days.


2 lbs extra lean ground beef
1/2 small onion, diced
1 jar spaghetti sauce (whichever flavor you like)
1 can (14.5 oz) stewed tomatoes
1 jar (5 oz) Kraft Old English cheese spread
1 bag (about 2 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese
1 bag (12 oz) extra wide egg noodles
Parmesan cheese for sprinkling
2 tblsp butter or nonstick cooking spray

The first step is to brown the beef and then drain the liquid before adding the diced onions. cook the onions until translucent and then add the stewed tomatoes. If they are big just chop them up a bit.

in the mean time you'll want to start cooking the pasta. cook as directed on the package for al dente, since it will cook more in the oven later.Next you add the spaghetti sauce to the meat and let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.

Once the pasta is done it's time to start layering.First you need to use some butter in the bottom of the pan so the whole mess doesn't stick when it's time for eating.

I use a large round casserole pan that's deep enough to hold it all. the first layer is the noodles. use half of what you have in the first layer.

The next layer is half of the meat mixture spread evenly on top of the noodles.

sprinkle some parmesean cheese over the meat. dont worry about the clumps.

the next layer is the old english cheese spread. use about half of the jar and spoon it evenly over the top.

top this layer with half of the bag of mozzarella.

continue this whole process. noodles, meat, cheeses...

mmmmmm.... layers.
bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes and broil for 2-5 minutes until the top is golden bubbly brown and tasty. watch it carefully while it's broiling, it will burn fast if left neglected.
this crispy cheesy crust on the top is the best part.

AND Linda at
http://behindmyreddoor.blogspot.com/
is having an awesome fall giveaway!! please stop over !!

Bye for now,
Kim

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Show & Tell- Fall 2007

I have been thinking of doing some Fall decorating. I know its only August but, the last few days there are fallen leaves on the deck ! I love Fall though.
There is so many good things about Fall: fair time, crisp air, fresh apple cider, cozy sweatshirts, lots of bonfires and cool days.
These pics are from decorating I did last in 2007. I really want to do something different. Don't pay attention to the background; all the shelves and such have been changed. Anyways, I am posting these pics here cause I want some input....
img_8267
I am wanting to go more Prim, instead of cutsey.
do you have an ornie tree all year? do you decorate for fall/halloween?
do you have any ideas i could use?'
do you have any favorite websites or online photo galleries that you use for inspiration?
img_8263
Throw me some ideas.
I am going to start dragging out the Fall stuff in the next few days.

Kim

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

W.W.W & More..........

Good morning!!
It's Wednesday so here is my, "Whatcha Working on Wednesday" project.
This is a "Toad House". They are made with a 1 1/2 - 2 inch gap on one side so that toads are able to crawl underneath and live. I would like to add a little sign to the toad house. I am not sure what to use since it will be sitting outside and you know a paper hang tag wouldn't last past the first rain.
I think it looks very prim and rustic! :)

Toads in the garden, as insect eaters, should be valued for their role in pest-control.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Where did this come from?? I found this flower growing up out of my hosta. I have never seen a hosta flower look like this!!?? and since I usually don't let my hostas bloom, I am wondering where it came from.

close up

I know you may be asking why I don't let my hostas bloom. I believe that not letting the hosta bloom , saves the energy for growth in the next spring. My hostas are pretty big.
I think it works. :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pay It Forward goodies!!
These are my pay it forward goodies that I received from
Mary Isabella @
http://daisybouquet.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much!!
I received teas, pretty buttons and ric rac in fall colors, foam leaves , pretty leaf paper, printable pics to use as post cards or note cards and more!!
I love everything!!

I also won the garden tour contest @
(Can I be Pretty in Pink)
http://deenasstory.blogspot.com/
Please stop over and check out Deena's blog.



Enjoy the day!
Kim

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Weekend finds & I got an RAK..

Good Sunday morning!!
I hope your weekend was a great one.
While sitting here drinking coffee,I thought I would hop on and post some pics of my yard sale finds and of a RAK I received Saturday.

Sales weren't as great as I was hoping but I think it was because of the arts & crafts festival going on.
So, lets get started..........

First thing I want to show you is this crock. $1.00!! It's not in the best of shape but that's okay. I am planning on using it outside. Maybe set a pot of mums inside? Or how about some bare branches? I seen the branch idea in Country Sampler and really liked it.
Let me know if you have any other ideas. :)


on to my other stuff........

-white fruit bowl is ironstone. I don't know much about ironstone. It was free so I didn't pass it up.:)
-Wooden handles utensils 25 cents each. I got six of them!! (thank goodness for little 'ol ladies who have yard sales).
-Another old bingo game, buttons are wood 50 cents. I know you are probably wondering what I am doing buying bingo games. I kinda like the old games AND one of these days I would like to use them in an altered art project. I just need to find some ideas .
- Quilted pillow sham 25 cents ( not exactly my colors, but it's a king size one, so I may use it for a stocking or something)
- 2 aluminum roaster pans 50 cents. I like to have these on hand for turkeys or hams. That way I can throw them away instead of washing. lol
- Piece of cream flannel 10 cents!!
- Old strainer 50 cents. ( I am going to try Tammy's idea of removing the wire and make a flykeep). Check out her blog.
http://theoldehollowcrow.blogspot.com/2008/07/my-find-this-weekend.html
- Light up punkin 50 cents ( it's darker than what its showing up on here. ) I think they must have left it outside for a very long time. Maybe thats a good idea, if it makes them get dark.
I could become one of those neighbors(like one I have) that leave holiday decorations out six months AFTER the holiday. If I ever get a chance when they aren't home, I will get a pic of the huge snowman in the front window. ;)
- Canning jar with black lid 50 cents
- See in the upper left corner-beside the white bowl? small resin firkin bucket $2.00!
That was one thing I really wanted. It's small enough to stand alone of maybe hang on the christmas tree. Which reminds me that I want to talk about christmas trees and decorating in a few days. :)
- One more thing, small packet of halloween goodie bags. 10 cents. They are cute and I thought may be useful for giving goodies to online friends. :)
We don't hand out candy here. There are no small kids.

My yard sale total for the weekend........ $7.45!!!
Yea!!! Do the yard sale dance with me!!
shuffle to the right, shuffle to the left... ;)


Now I want to show you a RAK I received from Starmeadow at
http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/farmgirl-connection/

THANK you starmeadow!
I love all the fabric and patterns!! They will definitely be used!

be sure and stop by
http://softinthehead.blogspot.com/
she is having a giveaway!!

Be back soon,
Kim

P.S. The wooden table bench (that you can barely see under the yard sale goodies) is now SOLD!!

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Are You Ready To Go?

Are You Ready To Go?

Yard Saling that is!!


I sure hope so! I want to hear about all the deals! I have some great stuff to show you!! but, I am not posting them till tomorrow. :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, how do you like my new background and header?
I bet you didn't even notice?! I spent 3 minutes for nothing??!! geez!! lol

Actually, I have had a couple comments on it already! And it wasn't that hard to change.

I got to thinking when I logged in that it was looking way too cluttered. I read somewhere one time that "a cluttered house is the sign of a cluttered mind". Well, I think I read it, I may have made it up. lol

The background was too busy! I wanted what is important to stand out, I am talking about my blog roll. I want everyone to be able to come, read a post and look at the blog roll to see what's new in the lives of a bunch of great people. I have blogs in my, "bestest friends" that are different and still similar in so many ways. They are different in their locations, personalities, and looks. They remain the same in the fact that they all have a warm , genuine , friendly approach to life. I like to visit and see whats new!

Please, if you have a chance, check out some of my "bestest friends" blogs. I promise you that I will never ask anyone to "pay to be on my friends list or a top blog list". To me , thats like saying you buy your friends and if you are true in heart you don't have to.


Okay,now that I stepped down from the podium........... :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Besides, yard saling, I am also going to the Salt Fork Arts & Crafts Festival. I talked about the festival in another post. There is always good food and I love the lemon shakes!! They are like the ones we get at the county fair. No matter how many times I have tried to make them at home, it just doesnt taste the same! I think maybe its because I don't have bees swarming all over the place like they do when the sugar and lemons are outside in the stands..
Maybe those bees are the secret to success. :)
Have a great rest of the weekend!
Kim

Friday, August 8, 2008

Fat Friday,swap goodies, and more............

Good morning!
I am posting early over coffee. There are a few yard sales I need to go visit ( do you like how I said, "I NEED to visit? lol) and I also have to get some things done at home.
The cats & dog are still sleeping. They are so lazy!! lol


I have a bunch to post though!!

First, I wanted to post a BIG thank you to countingsheeprimitives over at
http://www.createaprim.com/ community!! She was my swap partner and sent me a load of goodies. Check out these pics!!
I received 2 aprons, a prim night light, americana baby shoes( which was so sweet of her to do, she resides in Canada), a bar of chocolate soap, cool hang tag, a wonderful post card, copper ribbon and HOMEMADE strawberry and rhubabrb jam. I am feeling the love!!
Jen, I love it all and I am carrying the tote!! I dumped everything from my purse into it !

tote

close up of applique

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I think this flower is either confused or just slow at closing back up. lol
This is a moonflower, they normally bloom in the late evenings and remain open at night. Can I tell ya that these are gorgeous at night??!! Its so nice to go out in the moonlight ( hence, the name) and see flowers open. :). I took this pic at 7am yesterday, that flower should be sleeping. lol
moonflower bloom

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Today officially starts our town's Salt Fork Arts & Crafts Festival
Want to know more? Check out the website.
There is a bunch of handcraftsman displaying their wares.
http://saltforkfestival.org/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Fat Friday recipes

sloppy cheeseburgers
2 lb. of hamburg
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 ( 8 oz.) jar of cheese whiz
1 tbsp. ketchup
1 tbsp. mustard
salt & pepper to taste
fry hamburg and drain. add remaining ingredients and simmer. serve on buns.

and on to dessert......
strawberry pizza
1 pkg. sugar cookie mix( I use whatever is cheaper- our Big Lots has Betty Crocker kind for $1.00 a pack)
8 oz. cream cheese
1 c. powdered sugar
1 qt. strawberries ( cleaned and sliced)
1 cup prepackaged strawberry glaze( or make your own)

stir strawberries and glaze. refrigerate while baking crust.
mix up sugar cookie mix and spread onto a 14 in. pizza pan. bake at the directions on pack and until slightly golden on the bottom. cool.
whip cream cheese and powd. sugar.
spread over cool crust.
next add strawberry and glaze mix to top of cream cheese.
cut into wedges or pizza slices.
enjoy!!

Gotta go, time for the sales!!
kim

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Show & Tell- "Roadside Pantry".....................

It's that time again!! Show & Tell Thursday.
I thought I would show you a photo of my "roadside pantry". Now I know you are wondering why I am calling it that.
Well, because thats where I found it!! Seriously! As some of you know, I do alot of recycling . We routinely haul scrap metals to the local center. This includes washers, dryers, wire etc. Do you know that there is money in that stuff!!?? It's nice to pull in and get anywhere from $30.00-$125.00 for someone else's junk they didnt want to haul away.
Anyways, back to the story..
We were on our way back from picking up an old washer that on freecycle. I was daydreaming, watching along the side of the road(dd#2 was driving), when I seen something wood( as in furniture not trees, lol).
I didn't think much of it, some folks are notorious for illegal dumping along back roads. :(
A couple weeks later the same family had posted that they had a dryer to get rid of so I replied and we were off to pick it up.
On the way home it was still over the hill!!
Mind you, it has rained, been sunny and rained some more in two weeks. Weeds were getting higher around it!
Storm( dd#2) and I made the short trek over the bank. OMG!! There it was !! Dirty and slighly beat up! The inside was filled with trash!
We left it there at that time cause hey, I have an Explorer, the dryer was taking up the whole back!! As soon I left the recycling center , got some gas and two cold pops we headed back out the road. We dragged it up over the bank, minus the bags of trash all around the pantry.
It took us some angling to get it in , but we did.
I brought it home, gave it a good cleaning with Pine-Sol and left it to air dry. The next day I went over the wood with some Minwax Oak stain to help hide some of the major scratches.

Ta Da!! Here it is in my kitchen!! I love it!!

I emailed the guy that had the dryer and told him about it. he said folks dump trash there all the time!
Why on earth would you dump this piece, is my question??!!
I love this pantry!! I wish it could talk! lol

The moral of the story is - look for treasures in unexpected places. :)

p.s. never mind, the bear hanging out the crock on the left( looking at the floor). I think he is watching the cats.. :)

p.s.s tomorrow is yard sale day!!!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

W.W.W.-Bowl Racks..........

Good morning!!!
It is officially , "Whatcha Working on Wednesday".
I shortened the title so I could put in there what I was working on. :)

I have been working on some extreme primitive bowl racks. This one is listed on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Primitive-Barn-Wood-Bowl-Rack_W0QQitemZ160268523003QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item160268523003&_trkparms=72%3A552%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14.l1318
I havent tried listing anything on etsy. I got signed up but not listed.
I am not sure if these kind of primitives would sell over there.
The wood is from a barn built in the late 1860's. There are worm holes, nail heads and such still in the wood. The wire bowl holder was from wire we also found in the same barn. I think it turned out great!! My dad went with me ( cause he has a truck, lol) and we got the rest of the wood. It's all here, in my little yard! I know the neighbors are probably shaking their heads.
They might not be shaking their heads; they are the same neighbors that voted me for, "yard of the month"( that's a good thing) a year ago.
I need to clean up the house, run the sweeper and do a load of laundry.
Be back soon, Kim

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

~Pay It Forward~

Pay It Forward

Yesterday I played the pay it forward game at http://daisybouquet.blogspot.com/ .
(Check out Mary Isabella's blogspot)!
This is how it works, the first three people who comment on this post I will send you a surprise. Then you are to post it on your blog and the first three people who respond you send a gift too and you just keep it going that way. The gift can be something you have, or made, or bought. or flee market items. Please keep your gifts small, (maybe something you could fit into a manilla envelope or regular envelope).
You can play more than once if you want too. Just a little fun to help beat this summer time heat!!!!! :)
kim
p.s. make sure you send me an email addy to contact you. :)



Monday, August 4, 2008

Daily chores.....50th post and more...........


Thank goodness I dont have to do laundry like that!! I remember when I was little, being at my grandma's, and her doing laundry with a washboard. Next came the days of being warned to keep our fingers away from the wringer. She said it would make tham as flat as pancakes! lol
I miss the smell of things dried outside. I just dont have room for a clothesline and considering my neighborhood of $200,000 and up homes, I don't think they would appreciate a clothesline in their view!! Shock, wouldnt even be the right word!!

On to my next thoughts, I did make the homemade laundry soap. It's here in my pretty jar with my heart shaped measuring spoon( you only need one tablespoon per load).
I have to say that I do like it!! I stopped the washer midway through the agitation cycle... I was totally shocked at how dirty the water was!! I had washed this load first with TIDE and then rewashed it with the homemade stuff. Totally unreal the dirty water, and it was on a load of whites.


This is my 50th post!! yea!! woohoo!! I can hear a band!! lol
Seriously though, I love blogging!! Thanks to leslie for encouraging me!! and leslie, when you read this...... I am so glad to have gotten to know you!! The internet is a great thing!

We watched "the other boleyn girl", over the weekend. It was good!!
I picked up a couple horror flicks yesterday. Didn't take the time to watch them last night, I was too tired!

My dad has me on the lookout for sausage flavored refried beans. So far, my online search is unsuccessful. No one knows where to find them. Maybe he just dreamed them?? lol
I don't know.

Oh, Kindra at http://3guysagirlandaprimplace.blogspot.com/ is having a giveaway. see if you can figure out what her momma was going to name her( if anyone has her mom's number, please give it to me so I can win those signs!!) ;)

Mary at http://gettysburghomestead.blogspot.com/ is going to post more on doing a floorcloth tomorrow. Stay tuned!!!

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Weekend Finds..................

Good morning!! I thought I would get up a little early on this beautiful Sunday morning and post some pics . These are some of the goodies I found at the yard sales this weekend.

enamelware pan $2.00
set of wooden handled silverware $2.00
sheep pillow .25 cents
basket( I am going to stain it) .50 cents
wooden candle holder w/candle .25 cents
metal candle mold $1.00
set of 3 stacking stoneware bowls with handles $2.00
bingo game .25 cents
hot air popper .50 cents
food chopper free

----on to the next picture...................................
3 easy sew fleece square rag quilts( throws) $2.00 each kit!!!
( tag says 29.99/each from joanne fabrics)
herbalist book .25 cents
new set of navy panels $1.00
large, heavy, tin snowman cookie cutter .10 cents
wooden angel .10 cents
americana quilt kit $1.00 regularly 15.00!
(close up of quilt kit)
not pictured-----
king size white down comforter( still in plastic zip bag) $6.00
6 new bed pillows ( yes, still in plastic bags) .25 cents each!!
2 white chenille pillow shams .50 cents for the pair.
broken whirlpool washer- free( we took this to the junk yard and got $14.00 for it)
4 1/2 ft. prelit tree- free
Total spent this weekend(minus the 14.00 i got for the washer)- $11.20!!! woohoo!!
The recycling center was on my way home so it didn't cost me any extra in gas.
I am planning on using the fleece square rag quilts as christmas gifts. I have a couple friends who are sewers and think they would love getting one of these to put together.
The down comforter and pillows are going on my bed this winter. Yes, I love primitives but am thinking of doing a winter theme with whites and creams in there.
The free prelit tree will be used as a project for our hospital's,"Wonderland of Trees", auction.
(now, I just have to decorate it. lol)
Did you find any bargains this weekend?

Saturday, August 2, 2008

stay tuned........................


(borrowed from flickr)

I am on my way to my dad's for tacos. ( yea!!- I dont have to cook tonight)


Tomorrow I will post on my yard sale excursions over the weekend . I seriously got some great deals!!
Is there such a thing as a "yard sale dance"?? I think there needs to be! Thats how happy I was the last two days!!
Oh, I stopped by one of my favorite thrift stores, "Community Treasures". Every Saturday is 50% off everything in the store. If you are a thrift sale lover, well, she has the goods!!
I picked up a pattern for punkins and another for those outdoor flags that you see everywhere,. my total 43 cents!!


Best thing is she gave me a flyer stating that from 8/1/2008- 8/20/2008, if you bring in any school supplies they will give you 50% off of an item in the store on any of those days, not just Saturdays. now how cool is that?!! This place is non profit and such a great asset to our community!

Anyone watch, "The Other Boleyn Girl" ?
I rented it for this evening.

Friday, August 1, 2008

soap, fat friday and yard sales...............



"Do you have the Fels Naptha soap?"
" You do?"
" Great!!"
" I need a couple bars!!"
I know, I know, some of you are asking what the heck is she talking about???
Right??
Well, Fels Naptha soap is one of the ingredients in making your own laundry soap.
Gals are having a hard time finding it. Walmart is SUPPOSED to have it in certain areas. Its not in mine though!
I found it at a local hardware store. Orme's hardware to be exact.
I have to say this is one of the best stores in our area! I love them!! You need a screw? They got it!! For a just a few cents!!
They are never overpriced!! and the guys working there know everything!! They sharpen lawn mower blades and can tell you the best planting time on anything!!

Anyways, back to the soap.
Alot of gals are making the liquid soap, but i dont really want to be bothered with boiling soap, water and storing in a five gallon bucket. you dont have to mess with all that. you can make the dried mix!

Hands down, making your own homemade laundry detergent is much cheaper than store bought.

Here's a recipe for homemade powdered laundry detergent..
( As with its liquid counterpart, this homemade powdered laundry detergent is very low sudsing and works well in high efficency washing machines. )

Ingredients:
2/3 bar Fels Naptha Laundry Soap (equivalent of 1 cup grated)
½ Cup 20 Mule Team Borax
½ Cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda.
Container large enough to hold 2 cups of laundry detergent
Directions:
Grate the Fels Naptha laundry soap with a grater or use a food processor. Approximately 2/3 of a bar of soap will make 1 cup of grated soap.
Add the ½ cup of Borax and ½ cup of washing soda to the grated soap.
Shake and/or mix well
Use:
One tablespoon of detergent is sufficient per load of wash. If you have a high-efficiency machine, you might want to experiment with using a little less detergent for normal loads. If your clothes come out feeling stiff, lower the amount of detergent. For clothes that are heavily soiled, add a teaspoon more of the detergent..
Yield:
The recipe yields 2 cups of laundry detergent. If you use 1 tablespoon per load, you will be able to wash 32 loads of clothes.
Cost:
20 Mule Team Borax: $2.50 for 70 oz. - Cost per batch: .14 (4 oz needed for recipe)
Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda: $2.50 for 55 oz. Cost per batch .18.(4 oz needed for recipe)
Fels Naphtha: $1.24 per bar. Cost per batch: .83 (2/3 bar of soap needed for recipe) *
Total cost to make: $1.15 Yields 2 cups which translates to 3.5 cents per load!!!
Although it is more expensive than the liquid homemade laundry detergent, it is still cheaper than buying from the store. :)

***You may have personal preferences for using one over the other. With the liquid recipe, you will have to store gallons of laundry detergent. This is not a problem unless you live in a space where storage space is limited.. The powder on the other hand is neat, compact and takes up less space. :)

now for informationon on the liquid.......................

liquid laundry soap
(How much does your laundry detergent cost per laundry load? It's easy to figure out. Take the cost of the box/bottle of detergent and divide it by the number of loads. Once you come up with a number, write it down on a sheet of paper and compare it with the per laundry load cost of preparing your own detergent. )

It takes about 15 minutes to make your own homemade liquid laundry detergent and about 10 minutes to make powdered laundry detergent using all natural ingredients that you can purchase from your grocery store.

Here is what you'll need:
Ingredients:
3.1 oz bar Ivory soap (Ivory is chosen because it's all natural. You may use a soap of your choice)
1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
½ cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
Water
Tools:
5 Gallon container
Knife
Pot large enough to hold 5 cups of water
Long stirring stick/spoon (for 5 gallon container)
Instructions:
Shave the soap into small strips and place in the pot with 5 cups of water. Bring the water just shy of a boil and stir until the soap is completely melted. When the soap is just about melted, pour 3 gallons of hot water into the 5-gallon container and let it sit until the soap in the pot is totally melted. Once all of the soap shavings are melted, pour the mixture into the 5-gallon container and stir.
Once the soap and water are thoroughly stirred, add the ½ cup pf washing soda and stir until dissolved. Once the washing soda is dissolved, pour in the cup of borax and stir again until dissolved.
Optional: Essential Oils for fragrance. If you like fragrant detergent, now is when you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oils.
Now you've got a huge container of hot soapy looking water. Cover the container, place it somewhere out of the way and let it sit overnight. Once it's cooled it will gel. It will not gel uniformly so it will be lumpy and watery. It may not be very attractive, but it works. It's best find smaller storage containers for convenience.
Usage: ½ cup per laundry load is adequate to clean your clothes. This homemade laundry detergent works well in high efficiency washing machines since it is low sudsing.
One word of caution, if using a high efficiency machines: Before pouring the lumpy gel into the detergent receptacle, stir it to break up the lumps. Very large lumps may not fully dissolve.
stir the detergent with a spoon, pencil, or whatever you have available (or your finger), works fine.
Yield:
This recipe yields 442 oz of laundry detergent, of which 4 oz are required per laundry load. With this recipe you should be able to wash 110 ½ loads of laundry.
Cost break down:
the purchase price for the ingredients are as follows:
Borax: $2.50 for 70 oz.Cost per batch: .28 (8 oz needed for recipe)
Washing Soda: $2.50 for 55 oz.Cost per batch .18.(4 oz needed for recipe)
Ivory Soap: $.99 for 3 3.1 oz. Bars.Cost per batch: .33 (1 bar of soap needed for recipe)
Cost to make: .79
Yield: 442 oz.
Cost per oz. = .00178
Cost per ½ cup = .007 or rounded to .01 cent per load
The cost to wash 110.5 loads with homemade laundry detergent is $1.11!!!! How does that compare to your store-bought detergent?

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there are lots more cleaning recipes, DIY projects and other goodies on
http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/farmgirl-connection/
it is a wonderful community!! you do have to be approved to join and if its the weekend, it may be till monday but , let me tell ya, its worth the wait!!
i recently joined the Ohio chapter of mary jane farm girls!! i am so excited!!

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now for my fat friday recipe.................

BAR B QUED CHIPPED CHOPPED HAM
( yes, this is the $2.00-$4.00 a lb. stuff that is at any walmart, deli, etc.)

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup lightly packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
2 tbs. white vinegar
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
2 lbs of thinly sliced or chipped baked or cooked ham

Directions
1.Mix all the ingredients together except ham.
2.Whisk so that it's evenly blended.
3.Chop up ham a bit so that it's easy to serve on roll or bun.
4.Pour mixture over ham and mix well.
5.Cook in crockpot on low for an hour or two or put in saucepan on stove, cook med-low for about 20 minutes.
6.Serve warm on hamburger buns.

delicious!!!!!


oh, and of course you need a dessert!!

i take my favorite brownie mix( family size box) , instead of putting it into a pan, use your muffin pans and cupcake liners. pour( about 1/2 full) some prepared brownie mix into each liner. bake till almost done( within 4-5 minutes of being done). take them out of the oven and insert( slightly push down into brownie) an unwrapped reese's minature peanute butter cup, put back into oven and bake another 4-5 minutes.
take out and let cool.
so fattening, so easy, so good and everyone loves them!! :)
yum!!
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I spent the morning hitting more yard sales!! I love yard saling, not just for the great goodies but also the opportunity to meet and talk to new people. I have really met some great people while yard saling thats for sure. Today, I met a lady who not only had a sale, where EVERYTHING WAS A QUARTER , but also invited me in to see her home and her pond. It is a 2,000 gallon pond that she hand dug herself....... now let me tell ya this lady is not young! The pond was gorgeous!! She has fish( started 2 years ago with 6, now has 84!), actual caverns into the banks and is getting ready to add a fog machine.
I am getting one of those fog machines!! I was loving it!!
This lady also had a pet squirrel in her house!! lol It was so cute!!

We are off to go swimming.
Be back soon!!
Kim