I Haven't Disappeared........

I haven't disappeared, just real busy trying to get some things done around the "homestead". :)

I am also working on the EASTER BASKET CHALLENGE and a couple other projects.

I got some pics to show ya; just got to get them on here. :)

Be back real soon. I promise!!

CAtching Up on SOme BLogging......

Just sat down after doing supper dishes.

I made a batch of turkey meatballs with alfredo sauce and noodles. It was a pretty tasty supper.


This weekend we ended up going to Zanesville both days. We had picked up some boots at the Army/Navy surplus store on Saturday. Sunday we ended up taking them back for another pair. The soles fell off the first few hours, and they were Rocky boots too. :( Not exactly what was planned for the weekend but that's how it worked out. I picked up some cream colored wool socks to wear in the evenings while we were there. It was a good deal at $2.00 a pair. I also bought Storm some trigger finger gloves for next hunting season. Yes, she is a girl but loves hunting, and is very good at it.


This is Storm at indoor Ragnarok practice(a national gathering of medieval and "Lord of the Rings" reenactors). Every summer a reenactment is put on at a nearby campgrounds. She thinks that's a tough look. lol

My friend, Saundra, stopped over by with a doll project that she needed a little help with and then my sister, Karla, stopped by with a belated Valentine's package. She got me wooden letters that spell out "LOVE" and two packages of tarts. They are from WoodWick. She brought me Biscotti and Caramel. You know it is going to be smelly yummy at my house tomorrow. :)


I have been working on the goodies for my partner in the Anniversary swap over at Prim & Rustic.
Also got some ideas in the works for the Easter basket challenge at Gen's.

Sometime this week I am going to get busy and clean up the spare bedroom. I have surplus craft supplies strewn everywhere .


Have you started any Spring themed decorating? I was thinking about doing some of that this week too.

Well, I am off to read what everyone else is doing. I got the batteries charging to take some more pics soon. :). We stopped by the Goodwill on Saturday and went to our first yard sale of the year!! woohoo!

Apron PAttern BOok GIveaway!

Julia, the Chief Apron Goddess and Grand Poobah of All Things Apron, is hosting a fabulous apron pattern book giveaway! The book contains 20 adorable vintage apron patterns,stop on over and sign up!

GOod THursday MOrning

Good Morning Everyone,

I woke this morning to wind and blowing flurries.

I guess I can put the bathing suit away. tee hee

I didn't get to work on anything yesterday; just too many interruptions to "buckle down" and get busy.

I did have a chance to stop at a local thrift store (and found vey few goodies). There were a couple ladies shopping next to me and talking about they were buying to resell. Do any of you do that? Most of the things I find around here are pretty much what they go for. I don't see how they make any money to resell. Now, I have done this with yard sale goodies. I have found that yard sales are more cheaply priced and usually better goods.

The predictions this year are that yard sales will be more abundanat and better goods. The economy is going to be the reason; people need extra money, besides getting rid of extra clutter.:)

(some cutters from yard saling 2008)

Anyone planning on having a sale or just shopping at one?

We are definitely having one! lol

I buy alot of little "this and thats" at sales to decorate with. Some I keep and others( most), I don't keep for long. The thing is I don't mind getting rid of an item if I didn't spend alot for it to begin with. I just can't see keeping things just to have stuff. I feel better when I have things a little more sparse. Now sparse to some is not what I picture. I like my crocks, stoneware, handmades(hand-dids) and antique items. The "dust bunny collector goodies", I just can't see having.

Anything you want me to keep an eye out for while thrifting?

Someone ask me where I thrift store shop..............

We have two stores in Cambridge , Ohio

Goodwill Industries( on southgate parkway)

Community Treasures( on Wheeling ave.)

I like them both. Community Treasures is nonprofit(unlike Goodwill) all money made goes back into our community. I don't think alot of people are aware of that.

I also go to

Goodwill Industries, Zanesville, Ohio( Maple ave)

they have a large assortment of bigger pieces.

My VERY much favorites are the

Ohio Thrift , and Value Thrift Stores in Columbus , Ohio.

Let me tell ya, those stores are like shopping at Walmart!

Quite a few of them are near Ohio State University, and Devry. You wouldn't believe some of the great stuff those college kids pitch cause they don't want to pack them to take back home or to move on. I usually find lots of vintage items too. Plus, these stores use different colored tags. Everyday a different color is either 50% or 75% off!

and...... usually in May, is the West Lafayette, Ohio communty yard sales. woohoo!!

Want to know a little about this town?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Lafayette,_Ohio

Do any of the communties around you have big yard sales?

I will be back soon. Let's put together a list of yard saling tips. :)

Time-Worn Interiors 100th post giveaway!!

click here

The Conservatory Overcoat GIVEAWAY!!!!

The Conservatory Overcoat GIVEAWAY!!!!
come on girls, sign up!!

If I win, I already know who it's going to. :)

EAt, TReat & Meet................

Good Morning,

I hope everyone is doing well and staying warm. :)
The weather has been so crazy; almost 60 degrees one day and then back down in the
20's.
Last night, I made some soup to take the chill off.
EAT-
This is my version of Olive Garden's chicken gnocchi soup.

1/3 cup butter
1 clove of minced garlic
1 lb. chicken,cooked
1/3 cup flour
1/2 carrot shredded
1 stick of celery, chopped fine
1 small onion chopped fine
1/2 cup fresh chopped spinach
4 cups of chicken broth
1 1/2 cup heavy cream
Cracked pepper to taste
17.6 oz. of Gnocchi

On medium heat.
Melt butter in a soup pot, add in the garlic,carrots and celery, then sautee,
add your chicken and cook through out.Add flour and stir in flour and mix well until the flour is cooked into the chicken.Next add your chicken broth and heavy cream
Then add the Spinach. Add your Gnocchi last it takes 3-4 min. to cook throughout
Mix ingredients well until soup thickens and stirring occasionally.
Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

I served it with a loaf of french bread. :)
Everyone loved it and there were no leftovers!


TREAT

These were the flowers I got from my mom on Valentine's Day. They were a total suprise, really, you would have to know my relationship lately with my mom.

MEET

On the back of the chair is B-Nelly , aka, "bertha".

This is where I do the majority of my blogging and she is my proof reader.

Of course, right there she isn't much help. I think sometimes she suffers from "tuna induced coma". :)
Before I go, if you have an Aldi's nearby, stop in.
I picked up milk for $1.89/gal. and bread for 39 cents a loaf last night..

THings I have DONE

Here's a list if things I stole from Terri's blog. You're supposed to highlight the things on the list you've done.

Here goes...........................
Started your own blog
Slept under the stars
Played in a band
Visited Hawaii
Watched a meteor shower
Given more than you can afford to charity
Been to Disneyland
Climbed a mountain
Held a praying mantis
Sang a solo
Bungee jumped
Visited Paris
Watched a lightning storm at sea
Taught yourself an art from scratch
Adopted a child
Had food poisoning
Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
Seen the Mona Lisa in France
Slept on an overnight train
Had a pillow fight
Hitchhiked
Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
Built a snow fort
Held a lamb
Gone skinny dipping
Been to a Broadway show in NY
Ran a Marathon
Been in three states at once
Ridden in a gondola in Venice
Seen a total eclipse
Watched a sunrise or sunset
Hit a home run
Been on a Cruise
Seen Niagara Falls in Person
Visited the birthplace of your Ancestors
Seen an Amish community
Taught yourself a new language
Had enough money to be truly satisfied
Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
Gone rock climbing
Seen Michelangelo’s David
Sung karaoke
Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
Visited Africa
Walked on a beach by moonlight
Been transported in an ambulance
Had your portrait painted
Gone deep sea fishing
Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
Kissed in the rain
Played in the mud
Been to Grace Kelley’s grave in Monaco
Gone to a drive-in
Been in a movie
Visited the Great Wall of China
Started a business
Taken a martial arts class
Swam in the Mediterranean Sea
Visited Russia
Served at a soup kitchen
Sold Girl Scout cookies
Gone whale watching
Gotten flowers for no reason
Donated blood, platelets or plasma
Gone sky diving
Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
Bounced a check
Saved a favorite childhood toy
Visited the Lincoln Memorial
Eaten Caviar .
Pieced a quilt
Stood in Times Square
Toured the Everglades
Been fired from a job
Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
Been on a speeding motorcycle
Seen the Grand Canyon in person
Published a book
Visited the Vatican
Bought a brand new car
Walked in Jerusalem .
Had your picture in the newspaper
Read the entire Bible
Visited the White House
Killed and prepared my own meat
Had chickenpox
Saved someone’s life
Sat on a jury
Met someone famous
Joined a book club
Lost a loved one
Had a baby
Seen the Alamo in person
Swam in the Great Salt Lake
Been involved in a law suit
Owned a cell phone
Been stung by a bee

Your're next!!! :)

OKay, Okay...........

Please do not harm me..............lol. Here are the pics.
I have a few more but the camera is screaming low battery....

First, I want to give a great big thank you to Terri !! I won the apron giveaway and it came today! Terri , I love it, I love it!!
Look at the beautiful colors and stitchery!!
You rock girl!!

and she included chocolate! :) I wonder how many will fit in each pocket? lol


These are some goodies that I picked up at the thrift store.

star hooks 99 cents each
bowl 2.99 ( this is the 3rd one I have found)
rolling pin with white wood handles 1.99
old broom 99 cents( I don't know if its worth anything but I like it)
flag( it's tea stained already) 2.99
wood box 79 cents

I also found this cutesy photo album for 69 cents


Ta-Da!! It is now a coupon book.

I had been looking for the baseball card insert pages to be able to use a binder to hold coupons. Well, this is even better.

Bye for now, Kim

GOt Lots To SHow You.........

Just on for a minute..but I will be back later today.
I went to the thrift store yesterday and I have a few things to show you. :)
Plus, I got lots to talk about.... right now I am in the process of cleaning and mopping hundreds of little muddy paw prints off the kitchen floor. :)
Check back cause I am leaving you in suspense. lol


(borrowed from flickr)

Mid WEekend & LOok at all the GOod Stuff!!

What are you doing this weekend?
The weather here today was 51 degreees. It's great to see the ice melting away but the mud is a mess to deal with too.
I didn't do much today. Stopped at Rite Aid to pick up a few things we needed and back home. I havent felt really up to par today.
Right now I am sipping some Sprite and catching up on all the great blogs. You have been busy!!
I mean, look at some of the great posts I found............

Michelle finally has power restored. She is also a greyhound mommy and rescue activist. Did you see the bear she made from an old fur coat? I think it's super!

Ki has lots of great t2t items to browse through and the junk forum is always a great place to visit. :)

Janene has some more major thrift store scores. Did anyone firgure out if that was a real firkin bucket? That thing is huge!!

Dot has got rid of the wall border.
I think her hubby is still needing chocolate and pepsi though. :)

Angie is a girl after my own heart. We both love the start of N_ _ _ _ _.
If you want to know what that is, stop over at her blog!!

Terri is having a great giveaway for this time of year. Stop over and sign up.


Janae posted some pics of her bedroom. She is wanting to give it a redo.


Leslie made a very cool drawstring bag. Have you seen it? She also post info on uploading pics to your blog. easy peasy!! Thanks!!!
p.s. Leslie, I have never gotten pop ups from visiting your blog. Don't fret girl. :)


I want to give Lisa a great big thank you!! She sent me a heart make-do! She had made one for a giveaway and made another for me!! I love it!! (there is a pic on her blog).
Did you see her thrift store scores?? Great job!!!!

Rondell has been finding some great goodies too!! I think the candle and boxes turned out great!!


Melissa always has great ideas too- definitely alot of paper projects and redo ideas.

Now these are just a few of the blogs that I have had a chance to scroll down through.
Want to see more? Well, check out my blog roll!!
p.s. if you visit any of these gals , tell them I posted about them. :)

I am off to read some more.......................

GOod MOrning!

Good morning all!
Well, I am back on for regular blogging. Yea!!


Thanks for all the well wishes and emails.
Everything is looking good for my dad. He has had a couple mini strokes in the past, heart attacks, an abdominal aneurysm, and a major hernia repair. he was complaining of not feeling well. he said it was a bloated feeling , which was the complaint prior to finding the aneurysm.

After lots of testing, several scans, and changing the meds; things to seem better.

Have you ever really looked at your parents? I mean while my dad lay on endless tables the last few days I thought about how fragile he looked. All the marks on his tissue paper skin from bumps and bruises. How small this robust guy, who used to be 6'4", has become. I don't know when it happened. I thought I always paid attention. Maybe I was in denial , maybe I wanted him to be the dad I remember forever? I know I will never be ready when it is time to let go forever.

Okay, I am getting myself worked up again. so...................on to something else.


What are your plans for the weekend?
It is supposed to be at least 50 degrees here on Saturday. woo hoo!!
That's bikini time!( not!!) lol
PLEASE do not attempt to picture me in a bikini, you WILL be scarred forever. :)

I need to get busy around here. Got some cleaning to do and work on some craft projects. I have several things for Janene's challenge but haven't had the time to "redo" anything.
I am also looking for those clear plastic pages, the kind you can put baseball cards in. I want them for my coupon binder. Walmart, Dollar tree, Dollar zone, Kmart, Dollar general, Family dollar do not have them. darn! (I just got to looking at that last sentence. How many "dollar stores" does one town need???)

What's for supper tonight at your house?

JUst wanted TO LET you KNow

I am going with my dad the next few days for more testing. I will try to check in when I can. Maybe I can get to the library near the drs. office. I sure will try.
Everything will be back to normal on Thursday.
Keep blogging; give me lots to read. :)
I miss you all,
Kim

Good Morning.........

I am up early and getting ready to go with my dad to a drs. appt.

Schools here are still running on a two hour delay. Roads are remain pretty rough in some places.

LEMON POPPY SEEDS is having a giveaway; stop on over. :)

Be back soon,

Kim