New Again

My Grandpa was an antique collector.

So much so that when he passed away, my family held a auction sale.  5 days one week.  1 more day a little while later.

I was a poor college student at the time, so I didn't have the opportunity to acquire much.  I did however, get this chair

(it already had one seat recover ~ the covering it had when I purchased it, left something to be desired).

No, it isn't an expensive piece of furniture, but I love that it is a folding chair and while it probably was never in his house, it reminds me of my Grandpa whenever I walk past it.

Anyway, I was ready to give it another face lift.

I decided to paint it.  However I didn't want to paint the metal folding brackets.  Not that we fold it often, or ever really, but I didn't want them to chip if they did and I thought they created some interest.  So first things first.  I took it all apart ~ and said a little prayer that I would remember where all of the screws went  so I could put it back together.

I wiped it down.

Sprayed it with a coat of Kiltz primer.

Then with a few coats of satin white spray paint.

Recovered the seat.

And miraculously put it back together!

However, once it was together ~ minus the seat, I felt like it was too bright.... too white.

So, I pulled out my sandpaper.

Roughed it up a bit, to give it some signs of wear and tear.

Then added a bit of stain for a little depth.

Voila ~ My old chair with a bit of a face lift:

I love it!

Smoothie Time

After a really hard workout (a 797 calorie burn actually)  I was needing a protein pick me up.

So, when we got home from the health club ~ it was a fruity smoothie for her 

and a protein smoothie for me.  

Mmmmm......

Pass or Fail?

By now I assume all of you know what Pinterest is, so I'm not going to go into all of that.

I pinned this recipe (pinned here and original here) awhile ago, we tried it, and here's what we thought.

Tuscan Pasta with Tomato ~ Basil Cream

Ingredients:

1 20oz package refrigerated four cheese ravioli
1 16oz jar sun dried tomato Alfredo sauce
2 Tbsp white wine
2 med. sized fresh tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
1/3 c grated Parmesan cheese
Optional ~ garnish with strips of fresh basil


Directions:


1 Prepare pasta according to package directions.

2. Pour Alfredo sauce into a medium saucepan.  Pour wine into sauce jar; cover tightly and shake well (gets all the yummy left over Alfredo sauce out of the jar), then pour into the saucepan.  Str in tomatoes and basil.  Cook over med-low heat until heated through.

3.  Toss sauce with pasta and top evenly with grated parmesan cheese.

Sounds easy right?

It is, but how does it taste?

Delicious!

Tons of flavor.  I will admit the 2 littlest of the house were not big fans ~ although they did eat it.  But Hubby, Sassy and I all enjoyed it and in the end, it really is about me :) Ha!

I will definitely be remaking this one!

In the words of my friend ~ this Pin is a Pass!

Oh, and yes, my family loves it when I whip out the camera as we sit down to eat :)

Buried

Yep, I'm buried in dirty clothes and responsibilities today.

Hopefully I'll have something insightful tomorrow!

Once in a lifetime ~ 11-11-11, 11:11

Theres a blog I like to read called Dear Lizzy.

She has a beautiful blog and today she has posed a photography challenge.

Since 11-11-11 doesn't come around too often.....like ever, 

I'm jumping on the bandwagon.

Take a picture of yourself today at 11:11 am

Blog about it or Facebook it

Then link up with Lizzy 

If you link up there, let me know via comments.

If you don't want to or didn't take a picture, I would still love to know what you were doing this morning at 11:11 on 11-11-11 ~ let me know in the comments ☺

oh, and there is nothing in this for me, excepting quenching my curiosity

SO.....

Today at 11:11am

Smiley and I were at the mall, returning a few items.

When we reached the car, I looked at my watch ~ it was 11:10.

I grabbed my camera, checked my watch ~ 11:11 and snapped this:

yep, this unposed, bad lighting, backseat of our vehicle picture.

Ah.... the memories :)

So where were you?

A night out

It started at about 6:30.

I wasn't leaving until 7:30.

What started you ask?

The hysterical crying from this little cutie.

Last night I went out with a fabulous bunch of women to see the movie "The Help".  We had a wonderful time.

And while I was waiting to get picked up (and while hiding from Smiley, who was NOT feeling so Smiley)  Sassy shot a few pictures of me.

(And no, I wasn't doing any reading ~ there was someone who wanted to get caught up on the Twilight series and I just happen to have the books)

Anyway, it was a fun, much needed night out.  I haven't read the book "The Help" but after seeing the movie, I would like to.  It was a good movie, sad and uplifting all at once.

And, in case you were wondering..... Smiley didn't cry the entire time I was gone :)  Wonder how traumatized she's going to be when she finds out I'm going to be gone ALL weekend!  Yikes!

Brown,Orange and Yellows ~ with a hint of coffee

It's beginning to look a lot like fall around here!

Actually, it has for a month now, but I'm finally just getting around to telling you about it :)

I don't really go to crazy.  Just some touches here and there.  Simple and not too busy.

First up, our entry.

WELCOME!

Branches (can you tell what I used for filler?)

And a few leaves tied onto an empty frame with some clear fishing line.

Next, our Mantel.

A few fall leaf branches (same filler as in the entryway), our family pic and a reminder to "be thankful"

I have a string of white christmas lights (that I leave there all year long) behind the picture to help illuminate the dark corner.

And the other side of the room, with the awkward light. 

A few fall photo frames and a small wreath:

Now come along with me.  Down

to

the

basement......

For more branches.

These are branches that had fallen from a tree at the park behind our house.  And one morning when I was taking our dog

for a walk, I ended up back at home with an armful of branches :)

But this time for filler, I used some fake fall leaves (I have plenty of these ~ leftover from our wedding decor..........12 years ago)

Our media center:

And do you see the "little fall decor" labeled piece?  Well, I was inspired by pinterest.  This was what I saw:

(Image via Pinterest)

This was my version:

Ok, not quite as cool, but I didn't feel like digging for a bigger vase, besides, my favorite one broke. :(

BUT.... I still like the simplicity of it and the small pop of fall colors it provides.

Well, there you have it  ~ a bit of fall from my house.

Oh, and that filler coffee beans.  Let me tell you, my house smelt so yummy for so long.  But, I do love the smell of coffee!  This was a inexpensive filler and like I said before I loved walking through the entryway just so I could get a whiff :)

So, do tell.... are you still in fall mode, or have you, like all of the stores, switched over to Christmas?