Dinner

I am a fan of brussel sprouts...and I will not apologize...This batch was coated with olive oil, sprinkled with salt, pepper and parmesan cheese.  I put them on a cookie sheet and roasted them in a 400 degree oven for around 30-40 minutes.  Healthy, yummy and pretty!!

Table Re-do!

I picked up this shabby wood table at a garage sale for $5.00.  It measures 51 inches long by 17 inches wide.  It is just tall enough to hold my radio/cd player in the living room, and not over shoot the kitchen counter. 

And this is it all prettied up! A chocolate top and a cream bottom!

Banana Bites!

I had been searching for something to satisfy my chocolate cravings without expanding my waistline.  These banana bites, at least for now, are just perfect!  They are cold, sweet and salty all at the same time!  I keep them in the freezer and I swear the banana takes on an 'ice cream' kind of personality.  I am lovin' these!

I have no exact recipe.  I sliced a newer, firm banana into thicker discs.  I melted about 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips.  Added around a tablespoon of peanut butter and melted it all in the microwave.  I then dipped one side of each banana slice into the chocolate.  Next a press into a bowl of finely chopped mixed nuts.  I lined them all up on a cookie sheet, licked my fingers, and put them in the freezer for about an hour.  After everything was solid and in tact..they went into a freezer bag for storage...But not for long!!!

A Tuesday Night

This is the way I'm feeling tonight.  I'm sure tomorrow will be better.  But for now....

White Pillows!

I love white pillows and pillow cases to dream on!

No Smoking

"What's your problem?"...A question I've been asked a couple times this week from people who are actually allowed to ask me that.  Apparently I've been on the moody side for a few days.  Humm..I too am wondering what my 'problem' is.  Heat?..Charter Communications?.. Grinding my teeth because of the mass dying of honey bee's?  Lack of tobacco?  Wait!..that's it!  No smoking.

On Feb. 14, 2013 I smoked my last cigarette.  I cherished each and every lovely puff.  I inhaled it right down to the filter. For a few seconds after I flushed the little stub..I panicked.  I miss it. Smoking has been a part of my life for most of my life..but quitting was the right thing to do.  It has been 144 days from Valentines day to today.  At one pack a day, which was my norm..that's 144 packs.  20 cigarettes per pack equals 2,880 cigarettes..that I did NOT smoke!  Now the $864.00 I saved ($6 per pack..approx) is nowhere to be found!  I don't know what I spent it on and I'm wondering why I don't notice the extra money I have.  I'm not even sure I feel a whole lot better..Although I know I do and I'm positive if I were to smoke just one right now, I would notice a huge difference.  I still have cravings and probably always will.  I'm not giving in..144 days is a long time and right now I'm shooting for 145..One day at a time...No problem!!!

Lazy Me!

It's push button and I love it!  A lazy girl's Lazy Boy!

Under the right arm, there is a cup holder and a deep pocket for the remote or a book!
We're going to be good friends.

Bedroom Goodies!

 

I've recently given my downstairs bedroom a new look..complete with hardwood floors, closet doors and new 'old' furniture! First up, this fabulous vintage dresser I found at our newly opened Goodwill. It's nice and sturdy with deep drawers and lots of chippy paint. I didn't do anything but clean it up and put fresh paper in the drawers. I truly heart it!!

 

 

Next:  One of my regular customers and friend at the flea market, gave me this wonderful print of my very favorite painting..."The Starry Night" by Vincent Van Gogh.  It's been sitting with books on top of it for weeks to flatten it out..and also because I couldn't find a vintage picture frame large enough for it until now.  I bought this one at our thrift shop and painted a couple quick coats of creamy white paint and gave it a bit of distressing.  I had plexi glass cut for it instead of glass.  I wanted it to be light on the wall and light on my head should it ever fall, since it's hung right over my bed!

One other new addition is this little desk.  It used to be an ugly dark brown and hold my TV in the living room.  I painted it, gave it an applique and new drawer pulls.  The iron chair came in from the back yard and sports romantic, beige material on it's seat.  Another picture frame redo above.  I like the look and the whole room has a soft, comfortable feel to it.

The second bedroom, also received a new hardwood floor and some much needed improvements.  Not sure what kind of decor it will have.  Right now it's an all purpose room...it stores the grand daughters toys and clothes, yet has beds for guests.  The cat eats her meals there. I'm just going to wait until inspiration hits before I tackle it!

I Found A Desk!

I had been looking for something to house my new flat screen TV and cable box for a long time.  I didn't like the usual paper board/entertainment center fair so when I saw this shabby desk I knew it was for me!  This is the finished product..I really need to remember to take 'before' pictures!

Awful at first sight, I had a vision.  I paid $20 for it at our St. Vinnie's, brought it home and let it sit for a while.  The previous owners had used sharp objects to engraved doodles, names and grooves in it's wood... generally abusing this helpless piece of beauty!  To shorten the story...I sanded the best I could.  Fixed the drawers so they would open and shut.  I gave it three coats of Glidden 'Misty Aqua' paint, then lightly distressed it...I almost felt guilty after all this poor thing had been through!!  There were 8 drawers...With one pull missing..It worked out perfectly as I eliminated the top middle drawer to hold the cable box.  Things almost never work out this way..but in this case, the box was 2 inches smaller than the opening and it fit perfectly!  The seven drawers each have a handle!  ..And check out their fabulous Bakelite!

Yes, I love it!