Pumpkin Pickin' Outdoor Wednesday

I am joining in on Outdoor Wednesday

In this house, you are never too old to go

pumpkin picking....

Unfortunately #2 is at college and missed the fun...We will visit and bring him one!

Kitchen Redo -

    We did a pretty major renovation about 6 years ago.  Our house was a 3 bedroom ranch-where one of the bedrooms was the size of a closet.  We looked in the neighborhood and then beyond and realized that we liked our neighbors, street, school and  town and it made more sense to stay than go. Besides, financially it seemed more reasonable-house prices were insane.
        I will try to dig up photos of the before, but it was BD -before digital and I don't have a scanner.  Anyway-we gained so much more space, the kitchen became larger because we moved the basement staircase and it made the kitchen a rectangle instead of a panneled and wallpapered galley.
        Always afraid of color, we first painted the kitchen Dove from the Serenity colors of Benjamin Moore-Very soft, but it looked like sheetrock!

     I lived with it for a while, then...my husband is really good about painting and repainting. He does a great job and if I don't like it-he will redo it.  I still would rather it work the first time!

     Then we did yellow. I thought it was a warm butter yellow but it was way too yellow and is now the color of our guest/spare room! We tried Hawthorne Yellow, which I love, but it looked dirty against the cabinets.  I always liked blue and have collected Old English Castles dishes by Johnson Bros., so we decided Yarmouth Blue.

     I really liked the blue , bought fabric, made curtains, made cushions for nook.....but felt the color was nice, but did nothing for the kitchen.  I always felt a pumpkin or brown might do....But then I found Audubon Russet HC-51 was the right pick for the cabinets, granite and backsplach and floor tile. It was a very daring step for me to use this much color!

     So what do you think? Did I make a better choice. It is a great color. It also matches my dishes! I think it goes better with the cabinets and granite.  I love the nook!!!-before the redo, we could not see out of the kitchen except for a high winow over the sink. The back door was behind another door which led to the basement. Now, we have so much light coming in and the sunrise every morning.
     So with this color, I made new curtains-my brother found this fabric and so I used it-not sure, though. I recovered the bench and pillow-not done. Fabric that I loved. but did not use for curtains (-toooo expensive) I put into an Ikea frame-I love to look at it!  so that is my kitchen redo-transformation....I hope I like this color for a while-or at least my husband does!!!
 

Ooooh! Look! Benjamin Moore on Facebook put me on their space!!!!

I have joined in at BNOTP Metamorphosis Monday.
If you love tassels there is a beautiful giveaway for a Give Thanks tassel!

 I also jumped in on Transformation Thursday at the Shabby Chic Cottage!

Potty Paper Pun'kin

I am sure you all know this one, but since I was doing it, I thought I might as well share it...
      
                    
 Take a fat quarter ...so many cute orange/yellow/green fabrics
A roll of potty paper

A pipe cleaner..or covered wire

A small strip of brown/green felt or fabric

Center the roll and bring up the sides tucking into the space.

Fold and roll the felt and twist the pipe cleaner around

Wrap it around your finger or pencil

Done! Cute as can be!
I've done wthis with my religion group when they were little, but it is ute ...and functional to have in the bathroom/powder room.

Fall into Reading 2009

Today is the start of the Fall Into Reading 2009 challenge over at Calipidder Days. Thanks to Katrina for doing this! If you want to join up -you just link up your list-no obligation-no whip crackin'!

Now I have to add another thing to keep me from blogging! I am also a substitute teacher and sub a few days a week which really cuts into my blogging time!  So here is my Reading List:


The Kite Runner…Khaled Hosseini-I read A Thousand Splendid Suns and surprised myself that I could not stop thinking about it.


Vanishing Acts ...Jodi Piccoult-I have read many of hers but never saw this one. Grabbed it at the Library


Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis. I forgot that I had wanted to read this!


The Hunger Games never had it recommended, but I want to read it now!


Sweet Revenge by Diane Mott Davidson mixing mystery and culinary


Stalking Susan by Julie Kramer


The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman got some emails from publisher on this and it looks so good


Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella I like the Kinsella books Brits, light, cute, love
I see  Ted Dekker books on a lot of lists that I have to check out.
So, here we go...Happy Reading! My son had to read 3 novels over the summer for AP English, so to be a good influence, I read a lot, too. I tend to get a little lost in books, but I will try to keep everything in good measure!! Right-can't forget to cook!

It's About Time!

     I have a million excuses why I have not given proper thank yous for giveaways received. Mostly it has been computer trouble, and then computer and camera compatability! I had pictures that I was not able to upload which made me crazy! I had pictures that I uploaded that were not "formatted" so I couldn't bring them up! All in all it wasted my time and I would want to write, but without pictures? blah! Then there's all the time I spend reading blogs SO much better than mine, that I haven't any time to do any writing! You are all too good! Oh, then off to college and school started and football pre-season -wash wash wash!So you see? Begging forgiveness!
         First up I want to thank Nicole at Bugaboos Creations for the beautiful candle that I won in her giveaway.

The scent is amazing and it came with this cute spiral wick dipper...something I did not know I needed until I got one! I have been "visiting" Nicole for a while now and she has the greatest blog. She manages to write almost everyday and has great ideas! She is also a demonstrator for Gold Canyon and her website is http://www.candleflavor.com/,  If you sign up you will get a lovely sample tealight from Gold Canyon candles. So, go on now!

            Next, I want to thank Bev at Art Fartz  for the sweet "Birdhouse in My Soul"! If you go back here, you will see how cute it is-but nothing compared to seeing it in person!  She also included a wonderful surprise- a cute liitle framed bird...she is so creative! I is one of my favorite things!

My picture is dark, but you can see how sweet!!

             One moe is Gina of Simply Heart and Home ...... She had the sweetest post about fairy garden tea parties and the next thing you know, I get the cutest package in the mail! All wrapped up wth teapot and flower stickers! Her blog just makes you feel very peaceful and blessed!

                

    

                                      Open up and it is the cutest punch out and play Flower Fairy Tea Party book! All you need to know and have in order to have a fairy tea!

So, there you have it! The nicest people are here in blogland. I only wish I could know all of you in "real" life.

           'Til next time!!!

Mock Canopy

W hen I saw this post, it reminded me that I actually did something like this for my daughter's room. She wanted one of those net things like they have at Ikea, but with a cathedral ceiling, I didn't think we could do it...or if we decided to take it down, would the ceiling ever get repaired? Knowing what it took to paint the ceiling with scaffolding, I thought -no. So I decided to try something attached to the wall.  I bought a very inexpensive long white scarf curtain sheer and two of these at Linens and Things (mine were around $4). You could use any kind of holdback. Would't these  or these look pretty? I measured straight up from the ends of the headboard and eyeballed where I wanted it to match up with the window opposite and screwed those things into the wall. I wrapped the scarf curtain around the peg and loosened up the bottom fabric and tried to keep th top tight. Then I wrapped around the other. Simple...could be fancier, but I tend to go plain and simple. At one time we draped a garland of flowers across, which was pretty. 

My daughter is lucky. When we put the second floor on our ranch style house, the bedrooms were planned to be a pretty normal size. However, in order to save money(??) and perhaps bc it was easier (??) the contractor framed straight up the front of the house. This gave her a wonderfully big room with the window seat that we wanted and the cathedral ceiling. Great -but I think it cost more to paint and carpet (we couldn't get the hardwood then)then we had budgeted for!!. Alas, it got done and she lived that room for 6 1/2years (with college mixed in ) and has now moved out. Funny, the closts are full and everything still looks the same!!! Probably better for me that way...
Right now we have 2 beds in the room bc of all the comings and goings this summer. It fits pretty good. Lucky girl. She doesn't want to give it up.
I want this room.  But by the time I would get it, I wouldn't be able to climb the stairs! ha!

I should have taken the pics during the day, the colors look off-the walls are 2 shades of lavender-opposing walls. You see three? the 4th wall holds a desk and bookcase-at least I think so, bc they are kind of buried! Stuff that didn't make the move.

Here's her new room:    before

after:

(cute comforter, pillows,lampshade,fabric prints  & rug from Target (some on clearance), chandy from Urban Outfitters-$9.99, "L" antropologie, curtain-sheer we had I added ribbons on top like Pottery barn teen. Made the tile and ribbon thing on wall-with ribbon from aerie and tiles from Target clearance. )

HomeGoods Style Scope $5000 Sweeps!

Do you know that HomeGoods Style Scope is having a sweepstakes for a HomeGoods shopping spree for $5000 in their weekly drawing? You can enter weekly after taking the very short quiz and getting a pass phrase. There is a test to see what your style is and I think mine was pretty close! It's just a few questions and simple!

I think you have until October 6th.


 The results of my quiz was:

nancy, you are a Country Casual

Your home expresses your open, easygoing approach to life. You love unique finds, and can turn a few mismatched garden chairs or floral teacups into a charming arrangement. You appreciate a pretty mix of relaxed pieces, like painted wood or weathered furniture, lovely florals and other patterns, lots of throws and pillows, mementos and bunches of fresh flowers that give your home a unique sense of breeziness and charm.

You value comfort. Your home is a warm and open friendly place, and you feel happiest when everyone is cared for and relaxed in your space. Elements like pillows, throws, overstuffed furniture, and good lighting set the mood. You may also enjoy layering different fabrics or mixing patterns to create a cozy effect.


Putting Your Style to Work!


With your style and needs in mind, here are a few tips that will help you make your home a little happier.

1. Your Design Challenge: ORGANIZE

The front hall sets the mood for your entire home. Consider how to accommodate all the room's functions as beautifully as possible. At the very least you need a console, and if you're short on storage, consider a dresser. Outfit the surface with nice trays and bowls for mail, keys and sunglasses. Keep a trash can for immediately tossing the junk mail. Closet-door or wall hooks encourage coat and bag hanging rather than dumping. If you have children, try to give each a basket in the closet for hats and gloves. It's nice to have a chair or bench for changing shoes, a mirror for last-minute lipstick checks, and a lamp or sconces for warm light.



2. Your Happy Place

Make this room as comfortable and inviting as possible by bringing in some real furniture like an armchair or a sofa if you have the space. A little lamp on the counter or decorative hanging light can set the mood. Stools are great perches and can easily be moved around. Don't forget to bring your personality and style into this room: hang some art or display a collection of family photos in mixed frames. Consider bold, happy colors in the kitchen as well, like brightly colored pots and pans, big bowls for corralling fruits and vegetables, and trays for spices, oils, teas and pepper mills.


3. Be Party-Ready All the Time!

Scent: The first thing you notice about a home is how it smells. Use naturally fragrant cleaning products. If you find a scented candle or fresh potpourri you love, stock up on it. Any scent you like, whether perfume or linen spray, can be used on upholstery, bedding or just spritzed into the air.


Mood: Nice, flattering light makes us feel good. So nix the harsh, direct light from overhead fixtures in favor of the softer glow from floor and table lamps. Also, stock up on some votive candles and a couple of hurricane lanterns for setting around the room.


Food: Devote space in your pantry or on a shelf for go-to party essentials: crackers, dip, chips, nuts—whatever you like to serve. Keep on hand a collection of attractive bowls and cocktail napkins, and you'll be able to set a spread—instantly!

Drink: The simplest and chicest thing is to have a drinks tray or table always set up. Include a mix of pretty glasses, an ice bucket, a lovely pitcher, and bottles of soda and water. When the bell rings, just add ice and limes.



These are my happy colors!

So, take the quiz and let me know your style!!!

Hooked on this Dessert!

Head on over to Julia's at  Hooked on Housesand see her treasure hunt  with her Friday blog party! http://hookedonhouses.net/      It is fun and easy!!
Speaking of "Hooked on"-my family is hooked. ...I made something for the Back to School dinner that I have not made in YEARS! In fact, I don't think my youngest ever had it. It is called Icebox Cake in our house because my grandmother (we called her GG when she had greatgrandchildren) did have an icebox in her apartment in the city and continued to call her refrigerator the same. She made the cake, then my mom and now I finally did! It is easy to make, but I think we stopped making it when the chocolate cookies were hard to find and became expensive-grandma, mom and now me-ever frugal. 
Here's what you need-

    Plain Chocolate wafer cookies (they are round-used to be square)
    Heavy cream  for whipping
    sugar (or Splenda)
    chocolate curls, grated chocolate or wafer for top-(pretty it up!)

    Whip the heavy cream adding about a quarter cup of sugar until the whipped cream is stiff and yummy!

    I have a shallow long dish that works, but you can use a plate. Put some cream down on the plate or dish.

    Slather some cream on to the front and back of the first cookie and stand on edge. Keep and  repeating and  press to previous cookie creating a log. 

Then, cover the whole thing with whipped cream until the cookies don't show.

Grate a litttle cookie or  use grated or curled chocolate on top.

There you have it! When serving, cut on a 45 degree angle. It looks pretty.

    
Why didn't I pull out one of mu pretty plates? Because they were hovering over me to cut it already! So I did!

You can put banana or strawberry slices in between, but the vote here was that it is good just the way it was!

So, enjoy this little treat and don't take 20 years to make it!  I will try to link this up to Julia now!

Please remember to fly your flag in remembrance today.

The Inspired Room Giveaway

So, you want to see the room I want to work on for this giveaway? Easy. It is my newly painted but "oldly" furnished bedroom. The furniture is beautiful and 27 years old. The bed HAS TO GO as it, too is 27 years old. I know -awful!

So, until I get a new bed, I do not want to get new bedding window treatments or anything new to hang on the wall. It stays like this until the new bed comes! BUT, if I win the gift card giveaway, that will defer the price of all good things that will go into this room and then I get the new bed! I already saw a coverlet and mattress pad and mirror and..... get it? I definately can use it!  It is my fav store and I will easily have it spent!

THEN, moldings!!!http://theinspiredroom.net/2009/08/31/so-who-wants-to-go-on-a-shopping-spree-anyone/  So, go over to the Inspired Room and try for the card, too!

~Nancy