Teaching old dogs new tricks? ...what a TREAT!

Learning something new every day is a good thing! I'm going to attempt something right this very moment.....live from Blogland...cutting and pasting a link to another blog! Sounds simple, right? Uh, we'll see.
Go check out these girls...they have such Cutie pie stuff. It's exciting!

We CAN change the world!!!

As some of you know, we are undergoing kitchen work at the SI Casa......thanks to Ike, I am getting a kitchen re-do. So I got new countertops, got the ceiling repaired, got a fresh new wall color, and I am slowly putting it all back together. SLowLy.........




So I'm looking at my shiny gold brass kitchen cabinet knobs the other day, thinking......."oh, you just do not go anymore!" However, I wasn't ready to go plunk down $3 or $4 a knob to get new ones, especially considering I'd need 44!!!! Yes, 44 of those babies. So I said to myself...."Self, the shape of the knobs is fine, why not try a can of paint....?" Oh, such a lightbulb moment for me! I also said to my hubby, "I really don't like these, and I'm just going to try to spray paint them, ok??".....knowing full well that if I ruined them, well, uh, yes, there are FORTY- FOUR of them.

So I gave it a whirl!


Here's the lovely before....and I stuck them all in florist foam, because I am all about re-purposing and re-using!

So now I begin to spray them with Rustoleum Brown Hammered Metal Spray Paint......love it!

And yes, you'll see that I also spray painted another THING in the background. That, my friends, is another post! So this is what my kitchen cabinet knobs NOW look like....and now I am having my "aaaaahhhhhhhhhhh" moment...just right!

Ok, I don't know WHY but blogger flipped this picture!! Anyone know how I can flip it now that it's posted?????? ugh. Well, anyway, you can see what a difference it makes and how much better it goes with the granite countertop that is now showing on the right hand side of the photo, but is really truly on TOP of the countertop!!! I promise!

Now, I am off to see what container I can stuff that spray painted foam into!! ;)

*****Edited to add......I have a new friend blogging....she will add some beauty to the blogworld! She is a silk flower designer, and she creates some GORGEOUS arrangments.....no "poor, somebody kill this faux arrangement!" designs from her! Check her out at Designs on 47th Street and let her know I sent you her way. She needs encouragement to keep up the great work! Shout out to Donna! Love you, girl!

Do YOU have a lot to do?

I was thinking this morning how much I have to do in the next two months......(yes someone told me that Christimas is two months away, and that was a few days ago!!! :0

So this morning, I thought I'd go looking for some motivation!!! Here are a few quotes I found from those that have gone before us, and were fairly successful, I might add.

Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude. Thomas Jefferson

Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.Robert Collier

The greatest results in life are usually attained by simple means and the exercise of ordinary qualities. These may for the most part be summed in these two: common-sense and perseverance.Owen Feltham
The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do, well.Henry W. Longfellow

Nothing contributes so much to tranquilize the mind as a steady purpose--a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye.Mary Shelley

And then there is always the Bible......"I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me"......and don't you think that means even the everyday, mundane things that we as moms, wives, workers and caregivers need to accomplish???? I sure do, and rely heavily on it!

Have a good Monday and a good time making your lists and checking them twice!! ;)

I early voted yesterday......please make sure you vote this election. Your vote is important. Now back to your regularly scheduled blog-reading......

So what's in YOUR mug?

Doesn't a touch of chill in the air make that cup of coffee or tea taste just a wee bit more enjoyable? It does to me...... hot flashes are no fun with a love of hot drinks! LOL!
Anyway, I got to thinking about how much I love my coffee in the morning, and wondered what the rest of the blogging world likes...and how you like it. I love my coffee with a splash of Land of Lakes non-fat half and half, and an envelope of Splenda. I do enjoy some flavored coffees, but some of them taste too chemical-y.......I will add a splash of a flavored syrup every once in a while, but mostly I just like it with my regular half and half and splenda. I do enjoy tea sometime, too, but I NEED my coffee every morning. Can you say addiction?? But back to teas....I like chai tea, and some of the fruity ones, a good Earl Grey and a minty one from time to time. If it's really cold, a good herbal tea before bedtime is nice, too.
So what about you? A coffee drinker or a tea drinker? Maybe only hot chocolate? And how do you like your coffee???

All this talk of pumpkins.....

reminded me of a great recipe to share!



Creamy Pumpkin Dip

2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese, softened
1 (16 oz.) pkg. powdered sugar, sifted
1 (16 oz.) can pureed pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
2 t. ground cinnamon
1/2 t. ground nutmeg

Mix until creamy. Serve with gingersnaps or shortbread cookies. Makes a large amount so plan to share! Enjoy and be inspired!

What's in your apothecary jars or hurricane lamps?

I thought we could talk about various things one could use for either apothecary jars, (which are ever so popular, but timeless and beautiful) or hurricane lanterns/candle holders. The possibilities are endless, really. I really want a set of beautiful apothecary jars, but the spaces in which I'd display them are limited. So I am thinking about what I could put in them and where they would go.....and contemplating starting a set. There used to be a good deal on them at Sam's but every time I go looking for it, they no longer have them. So if someone sees a good deal on them, please let me know. The other option is to buy them one at a time at Michael's, especially with one of the great 40% off coupons, but they never seem to have the shape jar I want when I go in there. So my personal hunt is still on. But I do have numerous Hurricane lanterns, which serve as much the same purpose, and I use those in lots of different ways, too. Since I have those, I feel a little bit guilty investing in the apothecary jars, but I love the look much better. So you see, my personal dilemna.....

Anyway, I came to talk about the decorating them, not the owning them or acquisition of them!

So what's in yours? I thought I'd show you a couple of ideas for your own inspiration, and these ideas could even be used in plain jars, for that matter. They don't have to be fancy. Since my pictures are mostly of SLaHOME products, that's what I'll be showing....for your inspiration. The apothecary jars are from my friend Holly, of Holly Mathis Interiors.....you can check out her gorgeous blog here ! So tell me what you like to put in your jars?

Holly uses vintage ornaments here. Oh, so pretty. She even blogged about them on her site if you choose to peruse her blog, which is very lovely and inspirational! One could put any collection really, like marbles, or buttons, or go "whimsical" by filling them with your favorite kinds of candy, as in the hurricane jars that look so festive with the candy canes and pretty bright colored jelly beans and such. Another idea for the kitchen is to layer dried beans and rice, such as lentils, split green peas, red beans, black beans, pasta, rice, etc., depending in the colors that strike your fancy. You can place a pillar candle in the mix or not......one can also use coffee beans, which smell so good! Or think of all the fantastic colors of candy such as skittles, m&m's, jelly beans or jordan almonds one could use, depending on the occasion! I even have a hurricane that is in my living room with unpopped popcorn, and three stalks of Indian Corn. So do tell, what's in YOURS????

What are you hooked on today?

Hooked on Houses is hosting a little shindig today........a curiosity of sorts to see what we're all hooked on.......oh, you know you have something that just inspires you, gives you a kick in the pants, or makes your day pleasant. Me? Well, I am hooked on blogs and even created an Ode to Blogs.......to pledge my allegiance to this fabulous way of gaining new insights, inspirations, and new neighbors! So head on over and take a look.......it's 'Hooked on' at HookedonHouses.net!

a little secret....

I wanted to show you a little treasure I found. It's a Pipe Rack. I don't know exactly why it struck me, but it just called to me...."buy me, you can love me....". I wish I knew its history, and where it came from. I wish I knew the Grandpa that perhaps used it. And I also wonder how I should use it. I can tell you that I don't even smoke a pipe so I don't need a storage rack on which to hold my collection! I can't decide whether to hang it as it is, and face the ridicule I know will come my way......"why did you hang THAT right there? Where in the world did it come from?"...he WILL ask. Or do I use my trusty little spray paint can, make it green or black and cover the little back with some terrific paper, maybe antique or distress it a little bit? What do you think?

Well, my little secret source (and I know it is a bit risky telling you about it, because it will drive up the traffic over there, and drive up the bidding wars over there, etc.) is shopgoodwill.com. There are some treasures to be had!!! The only thing you have to be careful about is the shipping charges. Some of the locations seem to be very reasonable, and use a good alternative for shipping prices. Others seem to use the MOST expensive source for shipping, and the deals are no longer deals. Yes, I know I can go to the Goodwill Stores myself...but sometimes I am a lazy thrifter,plus I can see thrift stores across the nation this way, without leaving my own home! Good and bad, you decide. But do at least check it out. I guess.

So let me know what you think I should do with my cute little pipe rack.......I'm still deciding!

Some things I've noticed......

My friend over at Southern Somedays blogged about Walmart just about the time I had begun to change my mind about them, too. I have avoided them for the length of the summer, because ours was "under construction" for so much of the summer, and it was a MESS! One couldn't find a thing in there.....and it was so messy because of it. So yesterday on my errands, I had to drop in there for a couple of things that I had to have quickly, and lo and behold I left WANTING to go back and checking out all the new goodies. And what in my wandering craft eyes should appear, but Martha Stewart things in the aisles of the newly done craft section! And there is a new line of Better Homes and Gardens things like linens, bedding, etc, that is very lovely. They also have that new line of home furnishings called Canopy that looks decent, too. Somebody at the hq of Waltonville took notice and realized that they were being passed up. While I still love shopping at the small businesses that are trying to make it, sometimes, I need the Walmart prices, too. So I try to balance it all. Have I done just what the higher ups of WalMart wanted people like me to do and create a buzz about them? Maybe I have....maybe they want to pay me to give them good press! ;)

I've also noticed that Home Goods is expanding, and probably doing a pretty good business around here. Do you have them in your area? They have a lovely selection and it is a fun, fun outing. Love their clearance sections!

I've also noticed a lot of bloggers are looking to give handmade gifts this year. If you head over to the Nester, she is hosting an event for purveyors of lovely handmade things to get some much needed press for their wares....go check it out ( I think it's next Wednesday, but she highlights a few great ones today!) and see what lovelies you can find to give, and enjoy giving handmade gifts that really help chickadees running their own businesses! How cool is that?

Well, I now have noticed the time and that it is actually time to pull off another meal. I think tonight we are having my famous Ham & Cheese quiche......it's terribly easy, such that I don't need a recipe. It's a great "go to" when I realize that's it's time for dinner and there's nothing thawed out to cook! ()Oops, didn't plan ahead). But I have a pretty good excuse to draw on.....my kitchen is under construction! I'll probably need to play the "let's go out to eat" card on another day when I really can't cook, so I'll be saving that card and making the quiche tonight! Have a fabulous day, you bloggers of the world.

What I love about this Monday.....

Tom is here.....fixing my roof! And the complete ceiling.....and a new wall color, and new countertops......a little beadboard on the bar........it's a week of brighter possibilities!

The weather is nice....a little hot and humid for October, but the nice thing is it's bound to get cooler sooner or later.

Life is good......this symbol is taken off the web, but it represents a great company that sells great products.....you can read about them here.

A Sharper world.....

I recently told a friend about a drawing I had seen once of a whole room done by using a Sharpie marker......she and her daughter have been contemplating how to re-do the daughter's room. I suggested she give budding artist daughter a Sharpie and let her DO. THE. WALLS.......and suggested something like this. So today, I find that this man has done the whole basement with a Sharpie! VERY creative and inexpensive! You'll be amazed. I wonder how long it took him?????

In fact, did you know there is a whole world of Sharpie Art out there??? Check here for another artist who does fantastic work with a handful of those permanent markies we all love! Go to www.justineashbee.com to see her work.

It's been a birthday week here at the SI casa. Both of my younger children had birthdays this week. She turned 17 and he turned 19.......golly gee. How can that be?

Well, anyway, he came home from college (first visit home, gee I've missed him!) to spend the weekend 'o celebration. She's really missed him, too, and we will celebrate yet again for her. They are great kids and we are so proud of them!

They are fun, and funny, and love the Lord. They are athletic and love Ultimate Frisbee! They love laughter and are enjoyable to be with. I think I"ll keep 'em! ;)

handbag giveaway!!!!!

What girl doesn't love a pretty handbag? Especially a FREE handbag?......Run right over to Handbag Planet, a fashion handbag website about to be launched on Oct. 15th , and register to win a FREE handbag.......let me know if you win!

Eureka.......A new discovery! A must read!

Ok, I discover other blogs and realize what talented women there are out there in blogland, and that I really want to be them OR at least have them live next door to me. I want to have the guts to try new things (this comes right after my dh is talking about the new kitchen re-do, because of the necessary repairs to the kitchen from Ike, and the great opportunity it brings to do some updating). He says to me, "we have to consider resale, and making mistakes could really cost thousands of dollars, and they aren't just made on a whim!".....you know the engineer-speak of which I speak....(in my head, it's blah, blah, blah, I insert, Oh, of course, honey, I know exactly what you mean....blah, blah, blah, I insert again..... um hum, yes, right....." We've all been there.

So anyway, a very talented girl comments on my blog, whose blog I recently discovered, and I think to myself, "oh, she's cute, and has great ideas, I need to read more of her blog, etc, etc.".....and so I do. OH. MY. GA........this girl has it going on. Well, she is MY KIND of decorator. She loves a Bahgain, and she has great ideas, and isn't afraid to try them. AND on top of all of that....her husband buys her Christmas magazines when she asks him to on a recent trip to the bookstore! Can I move her next door to me???????? Go, fast, to check out thriftydecorchick's blog. I spent WAY too much time this morning going back and reading every stinkin one of her blog entries. She has the BEST ideas. And I promise she didn't pay me to write this, nor do I get any kickbacks from extoling her talent, nor does she live anywhere near me. I am just wishing she did. She's got the real thing going on, and those people that do work with her and do live next door to her? LUCKY!!!

Dear Tom (the Contractor)

Wish you were here.....

that's rain......

That's the rain in my KITCHEN.....and you can't see the trash can catching it.........wish you would get here before Friday. Surely it won't rain all day, or all week........sigh. (I may be having my own BAIL out here pretty soon......!)

Bloggers are the best....

While blog hopping and responding to some oh so sweet commenters, I learned over on Darlene's blog, how to make the strike thru while composing a post......how cool is that? This is my test to see if I can actually be so technologically adept at such things.... and this is the proof that I didn't follow directions all the way to the end. I need to know how to stop this madness!!!!!! AAcckkk! ;)
Perhaps I really HAVE learned how to do it!! Thanks to Darlene, who learned from the Duchess ! Aren't we something?

Halloweeny Party????

Kimba over at A Soft Place to Land is hosting a little Halloween party....or a Fall Festival for those who just do the fall decorating thing. I think she likes both, as I've seen all her cool fall decor she has been posting. She's got the Mr. Linky thing set up so you, too, can go and join the fun, and show off your halloweeny/autumnal decor that you've been so busy arranging. Mine actually started around Labor Day weekend, but I've had to move some of it due to Hurricane IKE. He blew a tree into my roof over my breakfast room, where I had a lot of my fall decor residing. So you'll have to excuse the mess, and just let me show you what it DID look like. Hey, maybe I should whip up a witch's body and have it halfway hanging thru the hole in the roof???? That would be really funny if I did that. But hopefully by the end of the week, the contractor will come and start to close up the hole....and I wouldn't want to scare him off!!!

Also to note today, Melissa over at 320 Sycamore is having a little fall decor giveaway.....go check out here very cute home blog.....

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us , and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him bless HIS name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, And His faithfulness to all generations!

Psalm 100

Inspired by a GREAT recipe.....

This recipe was found in the Homestyle Cookbook, which is a Southern Living Publication (um, yes I do happen to sell it! :)
I served it yesterday at a Girls Shopping Day Event and everyone that tasted it asked for the recipe....um, hum, THAT good. So I thought I'd send out a little bloggy love by sharing it with ya'll too....

Corn Walnut Dip

Makes about 4 1/3 cups-- Prep time 20 minutes, other 1 hour (to chill)

Green chilies and cumin add a Southwest flavor to this cream-cheese based dip. Cumin is the traditional southwestern spice that adds a pungent, earthy taste.

2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. fresh lemon juice (strongly recommended that you use fresh lemon juice in this highly rated dip. You'll need about 2 medium lemons).
1 T. ground cumin
1 t. salt
1 t. ground red pepper
1 t. black pepper
1 (8oz.) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 c. chopped walnuts
1 (4.5 oz.) can chopped green chilies, undrained
3 green onions, chopped
Garnish: green onion curls

Beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth; gradually add lemon juice, beating well.
Add cumin and next 3 ingredients, beating well. Stir in corn and remaining ingredients. Cover and chill at least one hour. Serve with tortilla chips or corn chips. Garnish, if desired. Enjoy and be inspired!