THis and THat

Good Saturday morning all,
I am drinking coffee and looking at the wonderful white stuff outside. :)
I thought I would post some "THIS and THAT" photos this morning.

THIS is a cute little doo-dad that I found online. Wouldn't it make a great Valentine's gift?


THAT is a pic of the weather and street conditions in our town on January 28, 2009. Actually this is mild compared to what it ended up looking like. (the courthouse steeple is in the middle of the background)



THIS is one of the items I picked up at the thrift store.
My question is, what can I do with it?

I also picked up 2 yards of an even weave linen for 99 cents and
a 3 piece ivory wool suit for $1.99.
The linen I am going to use for cross stitching on( with the help of a magnifying lamp, lol).
Now, I got to think of some ideas for the wool. :)


THAT is an image from the 1930's.

I hope we are never in dire straits like there was back then.
I look at people shopping at the thrift stores and the cheaper grocery stores in town. There are always nice cars in the lots right beside the older models( like mine). I think people are smartening up and tightening their belts. Thrift store shopping is not a bad thing like some think, nor does it have the stereotyping that it used to have. It doesn't mean you are poor or down & out, it means you are taking control of your money and being a savvy consumer.
I have shopped at thrift stores, yard sales and church sales all my life. I love it!
I love the thrill of finding a good bargain and saving money.

Do you?

Before I am off to read other blogs, I thought I would post some sites in case anyone needs them or would like to take a "gander". :)

Best deals & freebies everyday
http://www.spoofee.com/

FREE MEDICAL ; DENTAL CLINICS
Listing Of Free Medical ; Dental Clinics-All Over The USA
http://www.freemedicalcamps.com/index.php

Walmart free samples( these change every Tuesday or Wednesday)
http://instoresnow.walmart.com/In-Stores-Now-free-samples.aspx
I usually get my free samples in about 10 -14 days from Walmart
We have gotten free Orville Redenbacher popcorn, Glad trash bags, Crest whitening strips, etc.

Purina is offering a $4.00 off coupon for cat food and they will donate $1.00 to a local shelter ( according to your zip code). Even if you don't have a cat, why not pick up a bag and DONATE IT to a shelter? It would cost you less than a dollar. Walmart has the food for $4.77 ( 3.5 lb. bag)
with coupon, your cost would be 77 cents!
http://www.giveabowl.com/home.aspx?LI=1

Stay Warm,


Free Signature Generator

WHatcha Working On WEdnesday..........

Good Morning,
It's "Whatcha Working On Wednesday" at LESLIE"S.
Today's projects are a couple birthday and valentine gifts. :)

CARPET FRESHENER

These are so easy to make and everyone loves them. This one is cinnamon bun scented.
I got the container at the dollar tree store( for $1.00, of course) . It is actually a parmesan cheese shaker . You could use any kind of container as long as it has shaker holes in the top.
I added the homespun and old metal tag to the front.
Directions are below.

3/4 cup baking soda
2 tbsp. corn starch
*1/4 c. borax(optional)
essential oils ( about 1/2 tsp. or 30 drops) I got my oils from ebay. I think you can get them( limited selection) at Walmart too. You can add more oil to make it stronger.
Mix all ingredients together. Let set for about one hour. break up any clumps and pour into container. add a bow, hang tag , etc.
* Borax is great for pet owners. Borax does not change the mixture any but it does kill fleas and other bugs.
TOTAL COST IS ABOUT $1.89 (including the container)

This a a great idea that I found at Country Home .
Country Home is closing its doors in the next couple months.:(
I did receive an email that said all subscribers would be getting something in the mail about existing subscription options.


Oh, this is a pic of the Chicken pot pie that I posted the recipe for previously. It was delicious. :)

There is crazy weather outside right now; snow, sleet and rain are expected all day.
I am cleaning up my fabric stash later this afternnon, going to work on some cross stitch and already have a roast is in the crockpot.
What are you working on today? :)

Kim

p.s. I will post a pic of "where do I blog" later. :)

What's for dinner?

Just stopping in for a minute. I have a few errands to run- like go to the post office, the library and store.
We are having CHICKEN POT PIE for supper tonight.
This recipe is easy enough and economical.

I use some cut up cooked chicken
bag of frozen mixed vegetables
can of cream chicken soup
half can of water
a little salt and pepper

Mix all together, pour into 9x13 pan.
Bake in 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes
Remove and add some of those little biscuits ( like the kind you get a four pack of ) side by side on top of chicken /veggie mix.
Place back in oven and back till biscuits are golden brown. :)
YUMMY!

More snow is on its way here according to the weather channel. Oh, okay. I got lots of projects to work on. :)

Before I forget.............................
Do you like my pic in this post? You can get your own or a number of other ones at.....
http://www.redkid.net/generator/sign.php

OH GIrlS.. Look At What I Got!!!

Good morning all!!
Are you up? Drinking coffee?? Cleaning??
If not, get moving!! lol
I am up, having coffee and typing. :).

Laundry is done, house doesn't look too bad.
We started spackling( think thats the word I want) in the bedroom yesterday. It's getting painted soon. :)

Anyways, I got some things to show you!!
Look at what I got!!!

Thank you Shirley!!!! Shirley was in the group of valentine swappers from the Prim & Rustic board at DELPHI forums. If you haven't joined, well, come on over. Lots of swaps, friends and great conversations. :)

And, I had posted in my sidebar that I won a $50.00 gift certificate at http://www.kmprimitives.com/pages/main.phphttp://www.todaysprimitivehome.com/
or
karens's http://mycolonialhome.blogspot.com/
Well, this is what I picked out.


Can you tell I am doing a happy dance??!!
I love, love , love the pantry cloths( four of them). The labels are so cool!!
I don't want to use them, don't want no one to touch them. :) Get back, family!!
I also got the tin plate with six wool coasters, a notepad and pineapple hang tags( they are going on my tree as soon as Valentine's Day is over. :)

We also stopped by the thrift store and I found some goodies for the thrift store challenge @ Janene's . Woo Hoo!!

Be back soon,
Kim

THursday Morning.....

Good Morning all,

Want to come over for coffee? :)
The sun is shining on the snow right now. I am hoping that is a good sign. I love the snow , hate when its so cold. We haven't been in double digits for a few days.

Sorry I didn't post yesterday for Leslie's , Whatcha Working On Wednesday's. I did get some swap ornies done, but I can't post pics-yet! You can see them already wrapped. :)

I will say that these ornies are a little more vintage than prim. I know they are all going to good homes. :)


I bought some prim looking fat quarters and emb. thread on Tuesday to do a little cross stitching. (I already have the fabric to stitch on- this is for the back). Have you ever made your own cross stitch patterns or do you just buy them? I found some info on creating your own patterns and thought I might give it a try.

celtic cross stitch word generator
http://www.celticxstitch.ie/cgi-bin/stitches.cgi

using graph paper
http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/artscraftsmake_smrk.htm
or video tutorial
http://www.expertvillage.com/video/43654_cross-stitching-designing-pattern.htm


using good 'ol microsoft office excel
http://tutorials.lilyscountrystuff.us/tutorial2.htm
or
http://phatybomb.blogspot.com/2008/01/cross-stitching.html

patterns for kids
http://www.dltk-kids.com/type/crossstitch.htm

We now have a new fabric/quilting store in town. Thank goodness, because our Walmart will stop carrying fabric by June 1, 2009. I have talked to the owner at the new shop and I am planning on taking some pics next week to put on my blog. :)
My friend, Saundra and I are also going to be taking a quilt class. WooHoo!! I am excited about that! I want to do a new wall hanging for my hallway. The one I have is 10 years old. It's time for a new one; don't you think? lol
Classes will be starting in February. :)

I am thinking that today would be a great day to make a big pot of Baked Potato Soup.

Ingredients
6 lg. potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 lg. onion, chopped
3 14-oz. cans chicken broth with roasted garlic
1/4 C. butter
2 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/4 tsp. ground pepper
1 bag bacon bits (take out 1/4 c for garnishment)
1 C. whipping cream or half and half
1 C. or 1 4-oz. pkg. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 Tbs. chopped fresh chives
1 8-oz. container sour cream
additional shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
Combine first 7 ingredients in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or on LOW for 8 hours, or until potato is tender. Mash mixture until potatoes are coarsely chopped and soup is slightly thickened. Stir in cream, cheese and chives. Top with sour cream, and sprinkle with bacon and cheddar cheese before serving.

I want one of these! Isn't this such a great idea?! I seen it on a blog yesterday evening(can't remember whose). I want one to cover my microwave.

Be back soon, Kim

TUesday's Agenda & FReebies.......

Good Morning all,

I am sitting here drinking coffee and watching the news. I need to run to the post office, library and Hobby Lobby or Walmart later (gotta get some ribbon). I thought I would post a few FREEBIES that are in my faves.. I have these on my "to do " list - for one of these days. lol

RUG BUCKET
I love this bag!! It is made from a rug. Can you believe it? The best part is the pattern is free( along with some others).




DUVET COVER tutorial ( from two flat sheets)
Now how easy is that?? It's just two flat sheets. Think of all the possibilities. :)

PRIMITIVE RABBIT MAKE DO
What a cutie!! I am loving him!


FREEBIES FROM SKUNK HOLLOW COUNTRY STORE
You can download, prim hang tags, prim box templates, thank you notes, etc.

UNDER THE WILLOW TREE - free stitchery pattern

ANGEL STITCHERS SEWING BAG -so cute!!!

Well, I to need to get busy. What are you doing today?

WEekend Work & Make Mine PRim

1. Did you all have a great weekend?

2. Did you work on any projects?

3. Cook some yummy food?

4. Watch any movies?

I can answer those- yes, yes, yes and yes.. lol

We finished putting in and staining the new window sills. I am so happy! They look very prim and rustic. This is /was one of those projects that was started over the summer but never got finished till now. Around here it seems like we get more of inside stuff done in cold weather. Our summers are spent gardening, lawn care and basically anything else outdoors! lol




See this surround sound speaker/woofer( the gray box in the middle of the pic below)?
It has been bugging me.
Why? Cause it just doesn't "fit in" with the whole prim look.



See this old radio? It was my grandfather's and had been setting in our storage building for a very long time. My 72 y/o aunt gave it to me when she moved down south. The radio itself didn't work( I kept the "innards" though). Somewhere, at sometime, the knobs got misplaced. hmm...


Well, the old radio got a redo. I set the speaker/woofer in the back of the radio. stopped at Orme's and picked up some drawer knobs.

I painted the knobs black and attached them with tacky glue.
I think they look like real dials( knobs).


Problem solved.........................



What do you think?





Scroll on down for more stuff........................... :)

PB poisoning? GReat Deal and a DIY........

Well, these are headed for the trash!

Did you know there was a Recall on these crackers?
I didn't until today, when I finally got around to reading the newspaper.

There is a possibility that these crackers have tainted peanut butter in the filling. Did you notice how mine have 50% MORE filling? Geez, what a way to go............ poisoned peanut butter. Killed off by cheese crackers.




Now, isn't this the cutest little flicker light? There is a snowflake on the front; which means its perfect for this time of year. The bottom is blue so nope, its not so Christmasy- just wintery( or is that wintry?). :)

You know what makes it even better?

The Dollar Zone has them marked 75% off ( along with other Christmas stuff). so that means...... yes, you got it!! I paid just 25 cents for this cute little flickering snowflake light.

What a great deal!!

DIY
Do you like those reed diffusers?
And don't want to spend the money on them?
Here are some basic directions for making your own..........

What you need:
- 1 small jar or bottle (simple ones can be purchased from supermarkets or craft stores) OR what about a small old prim bottle? hmmm.... I wonder if we could use a MASON JAR? Where is Char ( the mason jar diva)? :)
- Reed sticks will work best, you can purchase them at candle or gift stores OR Thin bamboo skewer sticks will also work (supermarkets sell them for around $3 for a packet of 100). I found mine at Big Lots for $1.00.
- Carrier oil: Don't let this freak you out. lol You can use sweet almond oil (or substitute with extra virgin olive oil , grapeseed oil or canola oil).
- Scent oil /essantial oil
-OPTIONAL-Ribbon, homespun, rusty star,vintage pic or hang tag

Directions:
Blend the scent oil and carrier oil together.
For every 1ml of your scent oil, blend with 10ml of the carrier oil. For a stronger scent, pour 6ml of carrier oil instead. Swirl the blend together in the bottle and let it sit for an hour.
*If you're using bamboo skewers, cut off both ends and make sure half of the stick appears above the bottle.
Have 10-12 sticks in the bottle and let it sit for a few hours for the scent to climb up.
Take a piece of ribbon ( or homespun) and tie around the bottle .
You can add a hang tag or rusty star if you want. OR attach a vintage pic to the front of the jar. :)

Thats it! You are all done!!

*Add more scent oils to make the blend stronger or add more carrier oil to make the blend weaker. Flip the sticks around every 2-3 days. Replace the sticks every 3-4 weeks.

I made a BIG pot of potato soup and served it with shredded cheddar and french bread.
We spent this evening watching old Clint Eastwood movies(westerns).

What did you do?

THis And THat...................

Good Morning!!
Boy, it sure is cold outside! I was listening to the news and they said it is warmer in Alaska right now then it is in Ohio. Figure that one out............ LOL
I thought I would post a few pics that I had in my files and call it, "This and That" .
Some of these pics I do not remember whose idea they are, so if it's you, give me a holler and I will post a link.:)


THIS is a pic of some candle holders made from thrift store cutting boards and mason jars with
wire.

NOTE- THESE ARE FROM
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/
she emailed me. thank you!! :)

THAT is my daughter's(Storm) car, after MY MOM backed out of the garage and into the side of her car. I have to tell you that this is the third time my mom or stepdad have not been paying attention when leaving the garage and hit someone's car. Needless to say, we all now avoid the garage area for parking. lol


THIS is another idea that I saved. I thought this was so cool!!

It is thrift store wooden recipe boxes attached to a piece of wood and painted . I think it would look great in any room. :)
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/



THAT is what a greyhound can do, while bored and you are cleaning the bathroom.
Can I say GGrrrrrr?! This is the first time ever he has done something like that.


THIS is another idea I thought was sooo cool. It's an old wooden hanger, table runner and hang tag....... great easy, peasy idea to me. :)


Well, that's the end of my THIS and THAT show.....

What are you doing today?

MOre Stuff to show you...........

First, I want to give a big thank you to Char!!! We are both participating in a Valentine swap at the prim & rustic boards on Delphi forums. Char's swap goodie was the first one I received from this particular swap. :)


Remember me mentioning that when we painted the walls, I wanted to "prim" the doorknobs? Well, here is the new doorknob. It was done with Rustoleum hammered texture brown paint.

I think it looks old! :)



This is my significant other :) and handyman. I wanted something to put my spices on and gain more cupboard space. When living in a mobile home, space is at a premium, let me tell ya.




Ta-Da! I love it! :)


This little spice rack on wheels fits perfectly between the stove and refrigerator. there is even a little pull handle on the right end/side(kinda hard to see in the pic).





more pics.......... get to scrolling............................... :)

This is why I didn't get to come back and post again yesterday.......

Do you ever start a little project and it ends up a HUGE one instead?
I went to put groceries away yesterday and had to look at this mess. I couldnt take it. So I started UNLOADING everything before I could load up more.




Does this look better? All labels turned so you know what is in the can; all stacked in rows . lol




An easy way to cover them up....................




Gosh, I feel like I got something accomplished . :)

Some GOod Stuff.............

First of all, we got snow!! I know some of you hate the stuff but I like it!! It is coming down hard right now. We are expected to get 1-3 inches today. Weather is supposed to change to bitter cold temps tonight( and the rest of the week), so right now I would rather have snow. :)





I stopped by the Dollar Zone yesterday. They have these stars and a few others ( in different colors , different styles) all for $1.00 each. This one is on a little metal stand. You could

get two and use as bookends. :)


I also stopped by the thrift store while I was out. This little paper mache saltbox was 59 cents. Poor thing, it needed a home. :) I couldn't resist. :)




I also found this serving platter. The stripe is like a cherry red on a cream platter. hmm. I don't know why this pic came out differently than the others..... I took 3 pics of the same plate and they all look like this. Anyways, the plate says it was made in Bedford, Ohio on the back.

Another great deal for 59 cents.




I picked up these two little "trinket jars". The one on the left was 29 cents. The one on your right was 49 cents.

Gee, wasn't I the big spender!? LOL

more pics coming later..................... :)

ANd You Wanted to see some Pics............

Here you go.

before............................



after......

There are no door knobs on the doors near the couch. I will post pics of them tomorrow. We are painting them in a rustoleum paint to look more prim for the room. The brass finish just wasn't working. :)
The curtains were ones that I already had buried in the closet( see what you find when you do some decluttering?! lol) Anyone who lives in a mobile home knows the issues of finding curtains that fit.
I didn't put everything back on the walls that was there before, especially in the hallway. I kinda like this sparse look. Well, at least to me its sparse looking. :) We are in the process of changing all the baseboard in living room, kitchen and hall. It will be a walnut finish like on the window sills in the pics.
I want to get the bedroom done this week. It needs the walls washed down and maybe a new coat of paint. I am not sure what style I am going to do in there. I do know I probably won't go primitive. I need someplace that doesn't look the same as everywhere else. Does that make sense? lol
I did have time to make the batch of cookies on the plate.:) they are a basic choc. chip cookie base but instead of choc. chips I chopped up Reese's peanut butter cups and put them in. I have only had one.
I also had put a batch of apple butter on to cook( in the crockpot) last night. It is so easy to make using applesauce and a crockpot.! No fuss at all. :)
Please let me know of any ideas or things you think I need to add ( or not add). I appreciate the input.