Changing Oars In Midstream

Changing oars in midstream is never a good idea......

At least if you are rowing in the Olympics....

You'll never get a medal that way.....

The coxswain or "coxsun"....

spends his or her time yelling at the rowers to keep them in time...

like the drummer in all those REALLY bad Roman movies so popular 

about 40 yrs ago.....

My little brothers used to love them....

what with all the gladiators and lions eating people and stuff.....

But.....

It's really bad if one rower decides, 

"I think I'll just row to the beat of a different drummer"...

Whoops!

I recently changed oars in midstream but since I'm the only one rowing here, 

and not exactly in contention for an Olympic medal.....it was just fine...

In fact, it worked out pretty darn well....

I started out in one direction...

(source)

And ended up with a new plan

(source)

A few weeks ago, I found out about the
first ever, 
super exciting,

Yahoo...!
finally, something within driving distance that I could go to!

I was SO excited......

Then......

I received an invitation to be involved in a Vintage/Antique Market!
Yahoo...!

finally, something within driving distance that I could go to!

WAIT....

YOU'RE KIDDING RIGHT?

THE SAME WEEKEND?

sigh.....

So, I let my friends know that 

"no, sorry, I can't meet all you

 wonderful 

and creative 

and talented 

and funny 

and awe-inspiring 

and "I wanna be just like you" people......

I mean after all,I've been 

waiting, 

dreaming, 

wishing, 

pining for 

something like  

Kane County 

Rountop

Brimfield.....

or anything even remotely similar.......

A market opportunity could give me a nice 
kick start in the business panties

if you get my drift.......

Well, as God would have it, 

(because that's who is directing this boat here)

I needed to change oars in midstream 
you know, go another direction....

now the Market isn't happening for me 
BUT.....

I'm goin......

I'm goin......

I'm goin......

Yeah baby..........

COUNT ME IN!!!

Are you in the South?

Do you blog?


Click the link in the sidebar and get the info
BECAUSE
I WANT TO MEET EVERYONE!!!
OK....I'll try to calm down now......
Really I will......

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Vintage Quilt Love

You know I collect things.......
china...
linens...
old silver...
old books...
to name a few......
But, there is one thing I have always wanted to find and never have.....
vintage quilts.....I want a stack of them....like this...

Oh I've seen them plenty......but they're not affordable 
Perhaps I love quilts so because at heart, I'm a seamstress. 
I love fabrics and creating with fabric.
The modern quilts are certainly impressive....in fact, they are works of art.
But I imagine most are carefully hung or otherwise displayed and not used every day for years.
The draw for me to the old quilts is the fact that they were objects of need......useful.....necessary for everyday living....

Somewhere a woman or girl labored for many weeks over a quilt that was produced to cover a loved one...
Bits of old dresses, seed bags, flour sacks, and whatever else could be used were transformed into beautiful but useful creations.

The tattered edge means that someone half asleep pulled the quilt up to cover a chilly shoulder.

The worn out areas means that someone washed the quilt over and over and hung it on the line to dry in the sun.
Perhaps the dog or cat curled up in the same spot for years because that's where the sun was.

A baby was swaddled up in the quilt and placed in a basket so they could accompany Mother as she did her  outdoor chores, or kept warm as the family went to market or church.
I would venture to say that not often did anyone give a thought as to how important these utilarian things would become to us modern folks. 

How we would marvel at the tiny stitches and piecework.
How we would take this special find home and try to decide where to place it perfectly...

On an antique rocker?

Or just folded on a shelf?

One little quilt does not a stack make....but at least I have a start...
I have hope that perhaps I'll find another.....
someday......






Sharing with
Knick of Time
Uncommonly Yours
Freckled Laundry



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A Job Worth Doing Well

Some jobs can be done quickly......like loading the dishwasher
or tossing in a load of laundry.....
Other jobs require more time and attention......painting a room 
or some furniture...
in my case...it's cleaning the garage......
or maybe I should categorize it more as re-thinking the garage
or re-doing the garage......
Yes, I'm still working on it.....
the need for thoughtful re-organization 
is not a speedy thing....


As I've unearthed (believe me, that's a totally appropriate word) things, 
I've continued to create in between the re-organization. 
After all, I have a shop and an empty Etsy store (which will be reopened soon) to fill.
I've made some of my French Market Baskets (learn how here)

With words and numbers....I love number 5 and number 8....don't ask why....
I just do...it's a mystery to me

Made a quick sign on some old wood

I've worked on creating some crusty old wire things

Baskets and shelves

I've decided that I definitely need a place to work on smaller projects in the garage. Things that might be messy...like gluing, glittering, painting. We found the top to our old farmhouse table that my husband built many years ago. It didn't fit in this house because we have that round banquette now.


So, when we moved here, it became my sewing table.
Now, it's my work table.......I hate to get rid of anything my husband makes because it's always special.

But, making this decision causes another problem....of course....
You can see that the area taken up by the table would hold several pieces of the larger furniture I have
But, my husband really needs me to work in my garage more than in his space.
He's so good to build things all the time for me that it's the least I can do.....
Remember, I know how to make him happy.......
I still have a long way to go and I frankly am not sure where some of this will end up

But, in the mean time, I'll keep moving, shifting, deciding, planning.....
And creating......

Some jobs are just worth doing well and not hurrying......
But, I do wish it was over.......




Sharing with
Cottage Market
Common Ground
Vintage Interior

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Adding Color: Before and After

I have changed my decorating style over the years as I'm sure all of us have. 
I have always loved color however.
I remember as a young bride painting my kitchen cabinets yellow....or maybe I should say YELLOW because that's the kind of YELLOW it was......screaming meemie yellow....this was the 70's after all....
my mother-in-law almost died........obviously, in her mind, I was in need of help..... 
she's a woman who, when asked what her favorite color is will say, "earth tones".....which means
brown......in all it's various shades...
Needless to say, we are often not on the same decorating page at all.
I've been through country....including geese and ducks in my kitchen.....early 80's
I did stop short at the teddy bear craze....
Traditional....with seafoam green and peach.....the late 80's....
Southern Living.....lots of deep reds and greens and ruffles ....the 90's
and now.... what I think is really speaking to my desire for soothing surroundings and peace....Vintage/Shabby/French.....if that's a style at all.....
sigh......
A home is a reflection of us and our life. It's always evolving and changing.
I've worked at lightening up my home to make a more neutral background so I can use color more effectively.
Some colors really speak to us.....others don't...
I've never been much of a purple girl except in the garden where purples and pinks are something I always use.
But recently, my husband and I were out and I spotted these two pillows at Home Goods that were on sale....

I really liked them, even though they weren't my normal color choice.
They've been just sitting on the sofa for quite some time but this area was REALLY in need of some color....

It's a beautiful area but because the TV is behind those doors....I can't put much on the mantel....

My little collection of shoe forms has been able to stay because it's low enough.....but it doesn't do much visually.......

I confess I'm not dedicated enough to move something every evening so we can watch TV......
Cutting hydrangeas to dry the other day inspired me to make a small change and add some color.....

So, the pillows were moved......

A green throw was added.....

And I massed some of the hydrangeas around the shoe forms....

It's a small change but the pop of color has helped......
I have a feeling these hydrangeas will be gone tonight.....sigh
But for today, I can enjoy the change.......

What do you think?
Better?


Sharing with
It All Started With Paint
Savvy Southern Style

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Long Distance Help

I have a friend who needs something that I have.
In abundance.
Hydrangeas that is......
She commented on my hydrangea border

And said hers hadn't done well at all.
She said she was looking for somewhere to buy some so she could dry them.
So, I'm sending her this...

A box of hydrangeas.
It's a first for me but she says it's just fine. 
I guess they'll already be dried by the time they go across the country to her.
While I was out there I took a bunch and put them in the potting shed to dry.

I'm sure I'll go get some more soon because the extreme heat combined with some fierce thunderstorms will just ruin the blooms.

Most are still fine...
These will dry slowly in the hot air of the shed

 Right by the hydrangeas is a beautiful crape myrtle tree......

The color reminds me of my beloved lilacs...almost impossible to grow here.
We searched for this color in particular because we both loved it.....

They bloom all summer long when everything else starts to falter.

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Too Hot To Cook

I know it's hot everywhere!
When it gets like this I really HATE cooking dinner.

Of course I can grill but, for some odd reason 

(maybe it's just me) 

standing OUTSIDE in the yard 

with the sun still BLAZING hot 

over ACTUAL FIRE doesn't seem like a better idea....

call me crazy....

What I like are crock-pot meals......in fact....I love crock-pot meals.


Put it in and leave.....
go to the beach
go to the waterpark
go work on furniture
go thrifting
go to the mall
in fact......just do anything you want but COOK 
at 6pm with a group of people asking
 "how long before we eat?"


So, here are a few for you........


This one was HOT....and my kids like HOT....it was too hot for them so you may want to cool it down a bit.
You can put it in tortillias or eat it over rice.

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken

3lb bag of frozen chicken breasts

1 bottle Frank’s Wings Buffalo Sauce

1 packet ranch dip mix

2 Tablespoons butter

1.   Put frozen chicken in crockpot

2.   Pour wing sauce over chicken and shake dip mix over all

3.   Cook on low for 6 -7hrs.

4.   Shred chicken with two forks and return to crockpot

5.   Add butter and cook another hour

This one is Paula Deen's heart attack mac and cheese.....
I'm sure if you just drink red wine with it you'll be fine.....

Paula Deen’s Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni

½ stick butter, cut into pieces

2 ½ cups (about 10 oz) grated sharp (I like extra sharp) cheddar cheese

3 eggs beaten

½ cup sour cream

1 can (10 ¾ oz) cheddar cheese soup

½ tsp salt

1 cup whole milk

½ tsp dry mustard

½ tsp black pepper

1.   Cook macaroni until tender, drain and set aside.

2.   In saucepan, mix butter and cheese and heat until cheese is melted, stirring occasionally.

3.   In the crockpot, mix together everything except the macaroni. Stir until well combined.

4.   Add the macaroni, stir again.

5.   Cook on low for 3 hrs

My husband loves stuffed peppers and if you have a garden, you may have quite a few to use up. 

Paula Deen’s Crockpot Stuffed Peppers

6 large green bell peppers

2 cups cooked wild rice

1 ½ lbs ground chuck

2 cups chicken stock

1 (16oz) can diced tomatoes

1 medium onion, chopped

1 cup cheddar cheese, grated

¼ cup chopped walnuts

1 lg egg

Salt and pepper

½ tsp red pepper flakes

¼ tsp nutmeg

1.   In large bowl, combine beef, rice, ½ can of tomatoes, onion, cheese, egg, walnuts, red pepper flakes, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Mix well.

2.   Cut the tops off the peppers and remove seeds and ribs.

3.   Stuff with beef mixture.

4.   Place stuffed peppers in crockpot stuffed side up and pour stock and remaining tomatoes over all.

5.   Cover and cook on HIGH for 5-6 hrs or on LOW for 8-9 hrs.

If you put this last one on after dinner, 

you'll have something when they come down after TWO HOURS 

and tell you they're hungry AGAIN.

Crockpot Caramel Apple Crumble

1 cup brown sugar

½ cup granulated sugar

5 large apples cut into chunks

¼ tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

Topping

2/3 cup oats

2/3 cup loosely packed brown sugar

¼ cup flour

½ tsp cinnamon

3 – 4 Tablespoons softened butter

1 tsp vanilla

1.   Toss apple chunks with salt and cinnamon

2.   In bottom of crockpot mix brown and granulated sugars, then spread evenly to cover bottom.

3.   Layer apples, keeping them in a single layer as much as possible but adding the rest on top if needed.

4.   Mix the topping ingredients together in a bowl, using your fingers to add the butter in evenly.

5.   Sprinkle topping over apples. Cook on LOW for 4 hrs or HIGH for 2 hrs.

6.   When time is up, turn off crockpot and let sit, covered, for 1 hr. This allows the caramel to thicken.

7.   Serve over ice cream

Stay cool and stay OUT OF THE KITCHEN.......
Whole books have apparently been written about this subject

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How To Make Your Husband Happy

Don't get your self in a dither...
This is NOT a Cosmoesque list of ideas....
Speaking of Cosmo...WHAT is up with the cover titles!! 

For goodness sake, 
I've been distracting kids at the checkout counter for YEARS because of them...
Back when MY kids were little they had racy titles that screamed... 

"How to drive him wild in bed"
I know the answer to THAT one already....

Eat crackers.....

"Sex Tips Kept Secret From You, Finally Revealed"
Know it......

Go on vacation without kids....you'll be fine after you've had a couple days of sleep

"What He Really Wants From You"
Bingo! Got that too....

A clean garage.

Shameful as it is....I'll actually show you a before picture...
With cute labels so you can see the
 "treadmill" and "bicycle" 
as explanation for why my blogger butt can no longer go down the
 "narrow path".....
be careful...swallow so you don't snort your coffee...

This is the lovely view as I leave the house...to go to the thrift store of course....

The after one will have to follow in a few days....this is not a short (or pleasant) process. But, I HAVE found out 
"What He Really Wants From.....me"
Cosmo has nothing on me when it comes to the man pleasing department....
I'm expecting a call from them any day now.

Enough of THAT!! 
How about some inspiration?

{link}

A cute lampshade made from paint chips! This idea could go a long way!
I've got five street smart kids living here...all I need to do is channel Oliver! and I'll have enough paint chips to cover 39 lampshades......

{link}

Stools made from plastic crates! If you're a teacher, this would be great for the classroom! Each child could have storage too! They could choose their own fabric!

Last but not least....
I love Karianne.....I mean, I have a serious girl crush....
Anyone who writes like she does goes straight into my heart...
filed under "exceptional writer type people"
I love her recipe tea towel...
BUT....
I have to say that this idea for preserving an actual handwritten, family recipe is really great! If you've never heard of Spoonflower....you need to get there because it is a great place to browse.....this was on their blog.....

{link}

OK, the time has come......heading out to the garage....
I secretly love going through all of it and organizing...
but
don't tell my husband....it's better if he thinks I'm
sacrificing myself for him
another Miss Cosmotigibbet secret........

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Virtual Cooling Off

Summer can be an intense season.

Intense activity....

Intense heat....

Intense color....

I always long for Spring, as we all do, when trees start budding and I can go to the garden shop and see row upon row of colorful flowers and plants...

I work and work...

only to watch the bunnies denude many of my purchases.....sigh....

But, as August arrives....

OK, so I'm a little early...this is MY blog.......

As I was saying.....as August arrives....

I get tired.....

of the heat.....

of the activity.....

of the color.......

I start thinking about Autumn

about cooling off a little....

opening the windows again....

sitting on the porch later than 7 am....

I follow this blog which I can't pronounce but love anyway...

like that book I won from a giveaway at Savvy City Farmer that 

I thought was Swedish but is apparently Norwegian....

who knew?

It's in translation now....sheesh...

So while we wait for Autumn....

How about some virtual cooling off?

This is her shop I believe.......

my boys would just LOVE all those hanging white curtains...

Have you seen those fabric twirling people on the Cirque du Soleil shows...

.....or America's Got Talent......

Yeah, my boys could really get into winding themselves up in those and swinging around the room.....no way Jose...

One decorating idea I'll leave to you folks with an empty nest.....

although watch out for cats and visiting children....

here's the link to her site......translate it.......

but swallow your coffee first......

Don't forget to keep partying with the Hot Girls!!! link up here 

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