Shabby Dresser

This dresser was a thrift store find from over the summer, and when I saw it was only $45, I quickly placed a sold sign on it and ran to pay for it! I've always wanted a dresser like this, with hidden drawers inside on one side and a mini closet on the other. So, when I re-did our bedroom, I re-did the dresser to match. I just glued fabric on the each door, which is reset a bit and trimmed it out with brown ribbon. I love my shabby dresser!
I've really been lucky with this remake of a room, just about everything has been on sale, marked down and free. Things just have a way of coming together once I have a plan, idea or my mind is set on something. I forgot to get photos last night, we had company but tonight I'll get the room shot. Hope you are enjoying this last day of March!

Bedroom Windows

What is old, is new again! I've been holding onto these old windows for more years than I care to say, but at $5 each they were another steal and something I had to have, one of those "future" projects. It only took me xx years but this is what I've done with them. I made wall hangings out of them to match the new bedroom look.

I really love this one, and adds some shabby chic to the space. The lighting was too bad to get a whole bedroom photo but maybe tonight once the sun goes down, if so, I'll share that one tomorrow. I've also altered a dresser and I ended up painting the lamp shades with the wall paint. For the life of me, I could not figure out how to trace a pattern out of fabric to recover them. But this way works too. I still need to find a couple of throw rugs and maybe some small wall shelves to display photos but for the most part, it's done and I love it!
Thank you all for the kind comments on my $5 door, I'm so happy with it and I just love a bargain! Were back to spring like weather in my part of the Ozarks, so I started some spring cleaning today, just couldn't resist! Enjoy this last Monday of March and look for more bedroom blues tomorrow!

$5 Door

I did it again! I found something useful at my local Habitat for Humanity ReStore for a steal. I feel in love with this old black screen door, in very good shape too, for only $5. My mind was in high gear trying to figure out how I could use it? This is what I ended up with, a new entrance to my craft room, one that will allow the dog to see out when he's rushed in there when company comes or to keep the grandkids out when I have a project laid out. And it matches the decor in the living room that it faces. I couldn't believe my luck! Hubby asked if I was going to paint it, "No way" I said, that's the prim look I'm after! He's getting used to my ideas and even helped me hang it. All it needs now is a plaque that reads "Studio Sue" or something along that line, you get the picture! Stay tuned, photos of my bedroom coming to a screen near you, tomorrow! Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, as I am!

Warm Fuzzies

I found some sweet cupcakes for those of you who always comment about how you shouldn't eat them so you don't bake them, these are fat free! These are made out of felt, old sweaters and what nots, aren't they the cutest! I may have to try to make some of these when it's too hot to bake the real ones....never TOO hot to bake up some yummy cuppies, I say!

I feel so bad for those living by the Red River, my prayers go out to you all! Hang in there, winter will let go of it's grip and spring will take over soon! Here it is the last weekend in March and we have snow in the forecast for tomorrow? I don't think it will come this far south but the northern part of Missouri could get a couple of feet, they say. Even if we do happen to get some, it won't stick around long, Sunday the temps rebound to the 50's, but I'm so ever glad I haven't planted anything yet!

I'm still working on putting the finishing touches on my bedroom makeover and I hope to get it done this weekend so I can show you what I've been up too. To my surprise and delight, I've been able to find many things in my Aqua blue and most at half price, which is always nice! Enjoy your weekend, hopefully it's the last one for this winter!

A Winner!

It was a anonymous comment but she's a farmgirl, the winner of my Easter giveaway is Lori/Crafter, congrats! Please email me your mailing info. so I can get your Easter goodies off to you! Many thanks to all who entered and shared their love of Easter candy. I was glad to read that many like black jelly beans like me, I see I'm in good company! Again, thanks for entering, I'll be doing another giveaway soon. And congrats to Lori!

Cadbury Cream Egg Recipe

Are you thinking about Easter yet? I got the house decorated over the weekend, thinking about the guests, menu and fun but not in full swing mode just yet. Since so many of you who entered my Easter giveaway love Cadbury Cream Eggs I thought I'd treat you to a yummy recipe so you can try your hand at making them at home.

Homemade Cadbury Cream Eggs

1/2 C. light corn syrup
1/4 C. butter -- softened
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
3 C. powdered sugar
4 Drops yellow food coloring
2 Drops red food coloring
1 Bag milk chocolate chips -- (12 ounce)
2 Tablespoons vegetable shortening
1. Combine the corn syrup, butter, vanilla, and salt in a large bowl. Beat well with an electric mixer until smooth.
2. Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing by hand after each addition. Mix well until creamy.
3. Remove about 1/3 of the mixture and place it into a small bowl. Add the yellow and red food coloring and stir well to combine.
4. Cover both mixtures and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm.
5. When mixtures are firm, roll a small, marble-size ball from the orange filling, and wrap around it a portion of the white filling that is roughly twice the size. Form this filling into the shape of an egg and place it onto a cookie sheet that has been brushed with a light coating of shortening. Repeat for the remaining filling ingredients, then refrigerate these centers for 3-4 hours or until firm.
6. Combine the milk chocolate chips with the shortening in a glass or ceramic bowl. Microwave chocolate on high speed for 1 minute, then stir and microwave again for 1 more minute, and stir.
7. Use a fork to dip each center into the chocolate, tap the fork on the side of the bowl, then place each candy onto wax paper. Chill.
8. After 1-2 hours of chilling, dip each candy once more and chill for several hours, or until completely firm.
Makes 2 dozen candy eggs.

You still have time to enter my latest giveaway, just scroll down to the first day of spring post and leave me a comment about your favorite Easter candy, it's that easy. I'll be drawing the winners name on Friday. Good luck! Enjoy this recipe, and just watch the eyes in amazement at home made Cadbury Eggs!

Sassy Sue

Feeling a little sassy I guess when I choose the Aqua blue to replace the light blue I had before, but I love it with the brown. I've almost gotten the bedroom project done, I'm working on altering a couple of things today and I still have to recover those white lampshades, but I haven't gotten brave enough to tackle them. I wanted to share at least one photo, more will follow when I put it all together. I still have to find some throw rugs to match so I can pack those odd ones away. I'm thrilled with my shutters, they just make the room pop!

Don't forget about my Easter giveaway, you have till Friday to enter. I'm having so much fun reading all about your favorite Easter candy, it seems a few are more popular than others. For those of you who love the Cadbury Creme Eggs, I'll have a treat for you in the next post! I got the house decorated for Easter over the weekend, I love all the soft colors and bunnies running loose....so, if you haven't gotten signed up yet, get it done! Good luck to all...back to my projects!

Cowboy up!

Have you ever been to a western themed wedding? We attended our first last night, that of a nephew and let me tell you, it was nicely different. The bride wore a lovely gown, full length vail and her favorite old cowboy boots! The groom dressed in black and blue with cowboy hats a must. Sawdust covered the barn floor, while straw bales doubled as seating. A DJ provided all the music and fun as family and friends gathered to celebrate the love of this cowboy couple. I took alot of pictures but the dust from the sawdust was flying and most of my photos looked like they had snowflakes on them. But this one is probably my favorite. The happy couple are honeymooning in Branson, a secluded cabin in the woods....it was a nice and different way to begin their story, one that will be told plenty, I'm sure.

First Day....

Of spring, finally! It's been a long wait but without winter, there would be no spring, so I guess we must muddle through those winter woes so we can rejoice in all the delights of spring! Many shrubs are blooming on my hill like the one above, red, yellow and white blossoms dot the landscape all around. Such a wonder time!

So, as promised, I think since today is the first day of spring, it's a perfect time to host a Easter giveaway, don't you? This will be simple, all I ask is when you sign up for this giveaway that you tell me what your favorite Easter candy is? Mine are black jelly beans, I wait all year for them, used to be I could find them during Halloween but the last year or so, Walmart didn't carry them for Halloween just Easter, so I stock up! lol I love black licorice but the black jelly beans are my all time favorites! So, share your favorite sweet of the season and do so by March 27 when I'll have hubby pick a number for the winner! Good luck to all and get outside today and take a look around for your first signs of spring...oh happy day!

Thank you's!

I had won a giveaway a couple of weeks back and it finally arrived yesterday, to my delight it was a box of prim rabbits for Easter along with a prim bag of old fashioned soap balls, they smell lovely! Many thanks to Yankee Ridge Primitives, I love them! And a special thank you to my dear buddy, MaryBeth for sending a giftie for no reason, she is so thoughtful! So, I've had a good week so far, the weather is beautiful and I have no reason to complain!

I'll be sharing a couple of shots of my bedroom make over very soon, I still have to find a couple of throw rugs to match the new color and hang things on the walls but it's coming along and half the fun is finding things to go with the new look on a budget. Most of my do-dads are mine, just altered, saving me time and money. I'm anxious to show it off. I'm still trying to figure out how to recover a lamp shade with fabric without tearing the shade apart to use as a pattern, so if anyone has a easy idea, I'd love to hear it! I"m also going to hold a Easter giveaway soon so check back often so you don't miss it!

Green Goodness

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I've got the corned beef in the crock pot, simmering. Green mashed potatoes will complete the meal with some old fashioned Irish Soda bread on the side. And if you need dessert, take a peek at the links below, all have St. Patrick's day cuppies featured, like the one above.

I'm sure you know that St. Patrick's day is a christian holiday, Saint Patrick, a patron saint of Ireland died on this day, more information can be found by doing a search, the history is interesting to say the least. We all have fun by wearing green and eating the festive meal, and no matter how you celebrate today, take the time to know more about this day, to educate yourself and the kids.

Zen Cupcake

Cupcakes take the Cake



"Count your blessings instead of your crosses" Enjoy the day, the food and fun of it all!

Glampers

Here is the cutest example of "glampers" that I posted about yesterday, isn't it dreamy? Many thanks to the comments left behind and a special thank you to Cathy for allowing me to use one of her photos. I see I"m in good company in this quest, so happy to hear the stories, and Pat, I don't know how your Mom did it, but I can tell those trailer days were good times for you, thanks for sharing that story. I'll find one someday, these things have a way of finding me when I put my mind to something, and no matter how old I am at the time, you can bet, I'll be "glamping" somewhere in the wild, taming my dream....

I'm also happy to see a few bloggers signed up on Facebook, it's been so much fun chatting with you and connecting with others who share the same ideas and interests. Our weather is gorgeous today, I'm so tempted to get out and clean the flower beds up, rake the mulch away but March is still iffy, so I better wait. But I do have mums coming back and lilies too, I will keep them protected awhile longer. Were getting our raised beds set up, now to shop for a load of dirt to fill them. We are trying the square foot gardening method this year. I am ready to plant!

I sure hope no matter where you live, that you can get out and just take in this day, we are half way through March already, it has to get better from here on out!

Glamping

Do you know of this gem of a magazine that reflects the simple things and times, where it's ok to wear a apron and take charge? Mary Janes Farm is more than a website where over 7000 farmgirls meet, share and learn, it's also a beautiful magazine with limited ads and pure honest and tried ways to live a healthy life. I love this publication and look forward to it every other month. This month had a feature that caught my eye, "Go Glamour Camping", upon the pages were tales of all women campsites in vintage trailers, eating gourmet food and sleeping in glamour surroundings. This is my kind of camping! I love nature, and have done my fair share of camping but this ole back doesn't adjust to sleeping on the rough ground anymore, and I want a real potty, squatting is for kids!

So now, my mind is in gear to find a old trailer, one that I can glam up, all in pretty girlie colors, tons of softness and my personal stamp all over the place. Wouldn't that be the neatest thing, gather up the girls, plan a glamping trip of our own, cook over a cute little stove, eat off fine china and sleep under the stars and satin....it's on my to do list now!

I know alot of farmgirls from the website read me and have blogs of their own, so if you go glamping or want too, please let me know, share your ideas with me and if you know of any cheap, old campers, I'm on the lookout!

Bakerella

I must confess....I'm a cupcake junkie! I love all things cuppie, from baking, creating, icing and eating and to my delight, they are all over the place! So, when I stumbled onto Bakerella, I was in heaven and gained a pound or two just looking at her sweet site! Baking has really become a art form, this cupcake master needs to write a cookbook! And her desserts are sinful! It's a good thing I don't eat alot of what I bake, I do it more for the enjoyment and practice....I really want to be a Bakerella when I grow up! Check out this awesome blog if you too are looking for some new temptations or just for some eye candy, you will be hooked too!

Sneakin a Peek....

Yep, I'm at it again, been working on a little re-do in the bedroom, sassin it up a bit, as I call it! I've been trying to post this for 2 days now and blogger wouldn't let me? But, here is a little sneak peek, almost got it done, just have to find a few things to alter before I can call it done. I'm excited, a fresh coat of paint makes a huge difference. I wasn't sold on my first attempt at our bedroom, I settled for a pale blue since the new floor would be laid soon, but it was too light and showed every dirty finger print from hubby, why can't guys wash their hands more? But, this re-do is going to be fun, fresh and ready for spring!

Speaking of spring, where did it go? We were enjoying perfect painting weather, in the 70's, had windows open and a nice breeze, then a storm front come in from up north and after a little rain, we are back to winter.....the rest of the week! I just hope the trees that are budding out won't be harmed? I've seen Dogwoods in bloom so I was hoping the cold temps. were long gone.

Here is a super easy recipe for Scones, which are Irish and to keep in theme here for a few more days. This recipe is handy if you need a quick bread, you can also add just about anything to it, seeds, cheese, onion, garlic, or fruit.

Irish Scones

2 c. self rising flour
3 Tbsp. butter
1/2 c. milk
pinch of salt
Sieve the flour into a bowl and rub in the butter lightly with your fingertips. Add salt and then using a knife, mix in milk, a little at a time. With floured hands knead lightly to a soft dough, adding a little more milk if needed. Roll out evenly but lightly about one finger thick on a floured board. Cut out with a pastry cutter or cut out triangles to form a classic scone. Bake on a greased cookie sheet in a pre-heated 425 oven for 12-15 min. Cool. Best from the oven.

Hope everyone is doing well, looking forward and enjoying each new day!

Grand Opening Giveaway!

A blogging buddy, CathyJean from "Because Nice Matters" is opening up a new shop and kicking it off by giving away one of her darling aprons. CathyJean is a talent with a needle and thread, love her pincushions and she has some great links for quilters with free patterns, can't beat that! So, head over and check out her blog and new shop, get entered in her grand opening giveaway and just say "Hello" because nice does matter!

Brown Sugar Brownies

I had fun joining in on this monthly recipe swap last year so I was happy to find that "I Have to Say" brought it back. And with the theme this month being anything we wanted, I'm sharing a super easy yet yummy recipe for a brownie that delivers the yum factor without the normal chocolate bite. This is very good with a Carmel sauce drizzle over it, warm from the oven.

Brown Sugar Brownies

1 c. dark brown sugar
1/2 c. butter
2 eggs
2 oz. (2 squares) unsweetened chocolate, melted
1/2 c. flour
1 c. chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 325. Grease a 8x8x2 in. pan. In a large bowl beat sugar and butter till fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Beat in chocolate, then flour. Stir in nuts. Pour into pan. Bake for 25-30 min. Cool and cut. Enjoy!

Rejoice and Recover

I just had to share my joy with you this morning. We all have our favorite blogs, have gotten attached to the owners who have made a great impact on us and we feel their pain as well as their happyness. If I had to choose just one blog that was my all time favorite, this one would be it. This is a true story.

Take a Mary Tyler Moore wannabe, give her a great job in the Oil Industry where she can enjoy the good life, travel, buy and restore an old historical house in Texas where she can garden and bake. Add a chocolate lab puppy to the mix and you have a thrilling life. Then the price of gas soars out of control causing her to lose her 6 figure income and the life style she has come to treasure. Months of job seeking go by without a lead. But all this time, her faith has remained strong, her giving heart continues to share her wealth of insight, faith, and hope. She sells her belongings and treasures to keep the lights on, her vehicle is next to go and she hangs onto hope a little tighter. She is amazing! She shares her ups and downs with her followers, and we pray together.

This morning I checked her blog before I checked my own, and our prayers have been answered! A angel knocked on her door and opened the door to her future, offered to house her dream, a bakery of her own. She is soaring and we are rejoicing! God is good. After all the heartache, struggle,and loss, this girl is saved, she is blessed. And for all who read her, we have the power of prayer in our hearts and the proof that all things are possible!

Irish Soda Bread

This bread is popular through out Ireland because it is easily and quickly made. Often baked fresh for tea or breakfast. The true soda bread does not contain raisins so I'm posting the recipe as it was intended to be made, but I do add raisins and caraway seeds to mine. I will make a loaf to go along with my Corned Beef supper for St. Patrick's Day.


Irish Soda Bread

4 c. plain flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. sugar
2 c. buttermilk
Sieve the dry ingredients into a large bowl. Scoop up handfuls and allow to drop back into the bowl to aerate the mixture. Add enough buttermilk to make a soft dough. Now work quickly as the buttermilk and soda are already reacting. Knead the dough lightly, too much handling toughens it while too little means it won't rise properly. Form a round loaf about as thick as your fist. Place it on a lightly floured surface and cut a cross in the top with a floured knife. Bake in a 400 oven for 30-45 minutes. Wrap at once with a tea towel to stop the crust from hardening.

This recipe comes from a true Irish cookbook where I'll be sharing more Irish favorites from. I think it's important to honor different culinary cuisines, fun too!
When I add raisins, I don't measure, I just toss in what looks to be enough for the batter, as for the caraway seeds, a little goes a long way so shake gently. I'm always on the hunt for different recipes so if you have a good recipe for Irish Soda Bread that you'd like to share, please let me know. Enjoy!

Cupcake Challenge for March

Can you believe it's March already? With this month comes all things green, St. Patricks Day for the Irish in us all, and I will post some yummy Irish recipes soon. How many fix the traditional corned beef supper with Irish soda bread? I will be along with some green smashed potatoes for the kids, they always get a chuckle out of that! It's also the gateway to spring, the season I think we all look for the most. This weekend we turn the clocks ahead, a month early, so hopefully spring will be early too.

March cuppies are froggies, simple and cute plus they are green! lol Have fun with them and if you come up with different faces, do share with us!

Frog Cupcakes

White cake mix
Creamy white frosting
Green paste
48 green miniature vanilla wafers
48 red cinnamon candies
1 tube red decorating icing
Large gum drops
Bake cakecups as directed to make 24 cuppies. Tint frosting with green paste, frost cupcakes. For ears, place 2 cookies near the top edge of each cupcake so they are standing up. Attach 1 cinnamon candy to each cookie with icing. For mouth, pipe on red icing, slice gumdrops and add slice to each cupcake for tongue.

Happy to report our snow is just about melted off and by Friday we could reach mid 70's! I'll be out trying to spot some more signs of spring and refraining from digging in the dirt, maybe?

Spring Time Winner

I'm looking forward to this day when buds of pink grace the Ozarks, till then, we have that white stuff to deal with again. Our trip to the Memorial yesterday was interesting, got stuck in a snow blizzard for about 30 min., semi's had stopped and no one was moving, the roads were scary and the snow was coming down faster than the windshield wipers could dust it off, but we made it up and back safe and sound and very thankful! Of course that snow was for Dad, who was from Wisconsin and loved the snow so we dealt with it. The service was lovely.

As promised and almost forgotten, I had hubby picked out a number between 1 and 28 and he picked #2 so that belongs to Cat Nap Prims, so congrats to you girl! Send me your mailing info so I can get your giftie off to you soon. It'll be something springish!

It's March, so I hope were on the downhill side of winter, our snow is melting fast today so hopefully it will be a memory soon enough! Happy Sunday all!