Update...

My partner and I have been on stand down until Monday or Tuesday after Gustav hits the gulf. Remember when I went to those really boring classes? Well, this is an instance where I would use it. Our county picked my partner and I as the only ones going down I think because I had those classes in management level. We were to leave by midnight last night for Alexandria, Louisiana for evacuations, however, we were going with other people from the state of Ohio and it is a 17 hour drive and we could not get down in time for evacuations so we were told to wait. Wait until the hurricane hits and then if needed we will be headed down for an unknown amount of time. It was initially told to us we would be down there until Sept 8th, but they said that will change if we head down later. I will try to keep you updated as I know and I thank you each for your out pouring of prayers and please continue. There is always a chance if it isn't as bad as expected that we won't have to go so for my kids sake please pray for this option.

So in case I leave and you don't have to wait... Remember this was a rush job on the pictures so you all could see.






















Now you know why I have covers on my furniture.

I am leaving...

Everyone please keep me in your prayers as I have been deployed to Lousiana for the hurricane. I don't know when I will be back.

HUGS

Fat Friday and an Award

I am so thrilled a brand new friend Jan gave me a this awesome award "The Primitive Excellence Award". She told me she has "quietly" been reading my blog. I am so glad she left a comment as like I told her I like meeting new friends and reading new blogs. So, for those of you others who quietly read my blog please speak up.



Of course there are rules for this award so here they are.

1.) Copy and put the Award Logo on your Blog.
2.) Add a link to the Person who awarded you.
3.)Nominate 7 blogs who haven't received the award yet.
4.) Add links to those blogs on your blog.
5.) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs!

Here are the seven I chose:

Cranberry Crossings
Country Girl at Home
Black Sheep Prims
Peper Creek Gatherings
Raggedy Angel
Tomato Creek Primitives
Cozy Coop Corner

Well, to those who read my blog daily I am sorry no post yesterday, but I made myself decorate for fall. I am 3/4s of the way done because I ran out of stuff. Can you believe that? I am so excited though because my MIL called me Wednesday and asked if I wanted to go shopping in Berlin (Ohio Amish Country) on Saturday as they are having a sale from 8a-10a with 20% off in one of my favorite stores. So of course I told her YES. I tell my hubby I am going becuase I ran out of stuff so he says "You really ran out of stuff? I thought you had a lot more stuff...how could you be out. But what you've done so far has put me in the fall mood." My hubby is very supportive of my style and decorating. I did tell him not to get used to it because it would probably change. He said " I don't get used to it until the fall comes down and you decorate for Christmas. That way I know you're done moving it around." LOL. So I moved furniture cleaned and dusted. I always say things have to speak to me on where to put them. For now I do have to tell you it is already somewhat different than the last pictures you saw. BUT no pictures yet. I will wait when the sun is out to take them. I also went to the thrift store and bought yes more fabric and zinc lids for my jars. I am at work today so no other pictures today. Sorry.

BUT here is my Fat Friday recipe:

My lasagna...

lasagna noodles uncooked
1 lb of browned hamburger or sausage
1 container of ricotta cheese
1 bag of cheese (I use cheddar)
2 jars of spaghetti sauce (or one big jar)
other things that you like mixed in peppers,mushrooms, or whatever

Brown your hamburger and add onion if you'd like. While you are waiting for that I start assembling my lasagna. I pour sauce in the bottom of a 9X13 glass baking dish enough to cover it well (Keeps the bottom from burning) Next place your uncooked noodles on the sauce one single layer. Then after the hamburger is done I put that on top of noodles. I then put a whole container of ricotta cheese on the meat. If adding anything else throw that in too. I then put a layer of cheddar cheese and top with more uncooked noodles one layer. I then pour more sauce on top of the noodles and cover with foil. I put it into a 350 degree oven for 1 hour. Once done pull out and put more cheese on top and let it melt. So easy !!!

Watcha Working on Wednesday

In honor of Leslie, who at the moment is at the fair having fun, I have decided to carry on with my Watcha Workin on Wednesday. Now, you will be allowed in for a rare glimpse into my real life. This is not a reenactment, this is the real thing. For those who have anxiety it is best not to look at this awful monster. Please go to someone elses blog. Ok.... for those who are left and enjoy walking on edge here it is... I am sure you have never seen anything like it... Oh the thought... I have no idea what to think... I am at a loss for words (for once) hehe not really!!! Oh the devastation....

The Day the Prim Fairy Threw Up!!!! (hehe Elise you know what I'm talking about)



Yes I am taking down my summer decor and packing it up. Hey look my goose is mooning you!!!! LOL.



I just kinda throw stuff everywhere until I decided where it should go. Notice the black and orange tub... yep color coordinate for fall. I keep all my fall in this color... fancy I know. I still have a couple more upstairs in the attic this is not all. Fear not!!!!



Don't get too excited yet... I'm sure my cabinet and dry sink won't stay like this. Things will move around a hundred times.



Ummmm... yeah I have all these Longaberger baskets that I don't really want to decorate with, but I spent lots of ebay money on these. They are very hard to fit in with what I envision.



Do you recognize the fruit??? LOL. Yeah they just move around the house. This probably won't stay like this either.



Last but not least my kitchen. I am so not happy with above my cupboards. I know what I want, but can't afford it and it makes me sad. I know give it time... but yet again it'll change.



Geez I should've taken pics of my basement too. I'm pretty proud of it, but I did that not too long ago so I won't do it again. Other than that I haven't done a darn thing. I need to though. I guess there is always tomorrow.

Tutorial Tuesday

Awhile back I showed you the top of a table I painted. Several people asked if I would show how to make the pattern to duplicate it. So after showing the directions to my friend Tracey she said she followed it, and did a wonderful job might I add, I thought I'd share with you. Here is the top again.




I fold my paper in half then half again to gve me the midpoint, then you can draw stright lines on the fold if you'd like for guide lines. Decide on the size of square in the middle you want to start with. This one is 1 inch. Now every measurement you do will be 1 inch with the exception of one time. Depending on how big you want will determine how long you make the lines off the side of the square. I extended mine 3 inches from the top and bottom of the square.. Now at every inch mark a dot. To get started the only measurement less than 1 inch. Go to the 1/2 inch mark on your lines of the square and measure up 1/2 inch and put a dot. Now this changes again measure up 1 inch from that first 1/2 inch dot and put another dot. Continue the 1 inch after that. Now connect the first set of dots as shown.



Draw 45 degree angles from the corners of the square and mark a dot at every 1 inch.



Draw straight lines up marking every inch. If you notice there is a 90 degree angle at the base of the line.. Now connect the dots. Do this all the way around by the way. I'm just showing one side.






This is hard to explain so I'm hoping the pic shows it. The part you just drew prior draw a line straight up marking an inch with a dot. There is a dot at the 2" mark. Connect as shown.






I did a couple more to show you how to continue. Now if you'd like I can color it in to give you the idea, but I think you'll get the idea from the top.



I am hoping I have not confused you, but if so give me a holler. I know what I want to say, but sometimes it all doesn't come out. LOL.

Is the Weekend Over?

So I said I wouldn't be back until Monday because I had things to get done. Well, I tried I honestly did. My son went to my sister's house to spend the night Friday night. Friday night was my 24 hour shift at the station so I got nothing done at home. I came home Saturday morning at 6:30 at went back to bed for another 2 hours. So now my morning was shot. My DD says that she is going to her friend's house to spend the night and she needs to be there by 1pm. I'm thinking this is awesome I will have the afternoon to myself to do something. Hubby is a the farm doing chores so I will get lots done. So I head down to the basement to my craft area. I need to get some crafts done, but I can't see my table. So I figure I need to reorganize this area before sitting down to do anything. I turn on HGTV and figure I'll listen while I work. Ahhhhh.... the silence. I am an hour into cleaning when my parents decide to stop over unannounced. So, I must stop what I'm doing in the basement to come up and talk to them. In the meantime, my sister calls to say she is having a cookout at 5pm and to come over and eat then I could pick up my son. Sounds good to me not having to cook. Well, I keep telling my parents I need to go because they are eating at 5pm. (My parents already had something else planned and weren't going to the cookout.) So, at 7pm my parents decide it is time to go because the restaurant they were going to closed at 8pm so they had better hurry. Yeah, I arrive 2 hours late at my sisters and of course everyone had already eaten. I watch my son ride the four wheeler and dirt bike and came home around 9 pm. Now mind you my basement is still nowhere near done. I was frustrated so I went to bed.

Sunday, I wait for my DD to call to go pick her up and dig in on the basement. I did get it started when my hubby suggested we go to Lowes and wherever I wanted to go. I ended up at Pat Catans and bought a fall wreath for my front door. I saw lots of other stuff I wanted too, but thought I wouldn't bore my hubby any more and return later. While at Lowes we bought some wood to build my son a sand box. He made a remark to my sister about wanting one since her son had one. Well, last night my son and hubby built him a huge sandbox that we'll put under the deck. While they were working on that I came in and finished reorganizing my craft room again! We finally got out much needed rain last night. It hasn't rained in two weeks and the cracks in the ground are huge.

Now I promised I'd show you my thrift store finds so here we go...

My little twiggy wreath...



I got four of these matching place mats. I love the colors for fall. They look practically brand new.



The towel rack, though, I'm debating whether to paint it. It probably won't be staying here either, but I had to put it somewhere. Incidentally... everything but the pitcher and towels were thrift store finds too just nor on this trip.



I love the rag blankets, this one was just awesome at $2.00. I figure I'd buy some RIT dye and make it darker.



Lastly, this is the item I sprinted for... The copper pot. I have no idea what I'm going to do with it but I loved it. It was $3.00. Right now it is inside waiting for a purpose. I figure I'd put some fall stuff in it like pumpkins and gourds.



So there you have it. My thrift store finds for last week. I was pretty proud of myself for only spending a little over $8.00. I am trying so hard not to go today because I know Monday's are when the one shop puts out new stuff. I don't need anymore until I put stuff away and start decorating for fall.

It's a Giveaway!!!

Isn't this the best giveaway ??? Red Cinnamon Prims is having her first giveaway. Please make sure you visit her and leave a comment so you can be entered in to win. But don't worry I'm gonna win, so maybe you shouldn't enter. LOL.

Some Fall Eye Candy... Fat Friday Recipe

Well I have been talking about my good friend Kim's shop I go to. Well, I spent the day with her in the shop on Wednesday helping her take some pictures and get things in order for something awesome she is working on! So while I was there for 8 hours LOL I yelled at her to send me the pics so I could show all of you her shop. I am so excited because she asked me if I would mind working in the shop every now and again for her. I told her absolutely as she would never have to write me a check I would just spend what I earned on stuff. I can't wait!!!! Anyway, I am going back next week to help her again. So ladies feast your eyes on my most favorite shop.... Salt Creek Mercantile... Fredericksburg Ohio










My MIL bought this dry sink...













Need I say more.... It is so fabulous. Kim is just like me in how we tell people what is on our mind and are very straight forward. I think that is why we get along. I am humbled that she asks my opinion on things in the shop and what my thoughts are. I am just so excited to work for her!!!! I know I need another job like a need another hole in the head. LOL.


Now if that wasn't good enough my Fat Friday recipe.

Puppy Chow

1 cup sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter
3/4 cup peanut butter
8 c Crispix cereal
2 c powdered sugar

Combine chocolate chips, butter and peanut butter. Heat in microwave until smooth. Pour over cereal: toss until cereal is coated. Sprinkle powdered sugar over coated cereal. Or put powered sugar in ziploc bag put the cereal inside and shake until coated. Great grab and go snack.

I was going to show you my thrift store finds, but I thought the store pics were much better. I show my goodies on Monday. Have a great weekend as I really need to get some stuff done around here, so I'm not posting again til Monday. I will be stopping in to read all your blogs periodically though.

OH and a hug THANK You to Andrea and Leslie for giving me the "I LOVE your blog" award. I am so humbled by everyone's generosity in the blog world. Thanks again ladies!!!!

And a birthday giveaway at Purty Girl Primitives make sure to leave a comment to be entered in the contest!!!

The Smile Award...

I was awarded this awesome award called The Smile Award by two very dear friends I have met since joining the blog world. Linda from Behind My Red Door, who has the most wonderful ideas on life and decorating gave me this award. Linda's adventures, pictures, kind words, advice, and Angel work inspire me. You are such a fabulous lady Linda. Robin from The Robin's Nest, who I found through Linda, also a wonderful lady with great pictures and craft ideas also gave the award to me too. Robin is always talking about her kids, her wonderful husband, and love of God's nature make me smile. She tells her story through pictures and words and you feel like you are there with her. Both of these ladies were very deserving of this award and hence then passed it on to me. Well, thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving the award to me it means a lot to me that people enjoy my blog and that I can give you a laugh every now and again. I am not afraid to laugh at myself and show you that I am down to earth and make a ton of mistakes. Which reminds me of a story I need to tell you, but this part is the serious post.





THE SMILE AWARD's rules are:

1. The recipient must link back to the awards creator (it's right on the award)
2. You must post these rules if you receive the award.
3. You must choose 5 people to receive the award after receiving it yourself.
4. You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award (see below.)
5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient.
6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.
7. You must thank your giver. (s)

Characteristics for the Smile Award:

1. Must display a cheerful attitude. (not necessarily at all times--we are all human).
2. Must love one another.
3. Must make mistakes.
4. Must learn from other.
5. Must be a positive contributor to blog world.
6. Must love life
7. Must love kids.


Wow to pick only 5 people is very difficult as I feel you all deserve it. But it says only 5 so here are my picks.

Leslie from My Country Home always has something up her sleeve for herself and family. I look forward to reading her blog as she immerses herself with the things she loves and people who mean the most. She gives me the best ideas to try in my home.

Ann from This Simple Life is so sweet and kind when she emails me and asks for help. I tell you she has the best ideas and makes me want to make crafts all day. Her tutorials and want to do the best for her family inspire me.

Rondell of Tomato Creek Prims one of the first ladies I met through the blog world. I absolutely love her outlook on life and when I first met her her hubby was in between jobs, but yet she stayed so positive for him. She has a wonderful thrifty side and great sense of decorating. I look forward to reading her blog.

Jo Anne of The Carter Clan I know I give her all the awards, but I just think the world of her. She loves life, her family, and God! I have talked with her through emails and she is such a wonderful advocate for her family in ways some of you might not know. She gives freely, loves much, and laughs often. Of course she can sew like you wouldn't believe. LOL.

And of course Kindra of 3 Guys, a Girl and a Prim Place I think this lady has amazing talent and is so kind and giving. She talks about her boys like a proud mama should. Everything she does to better her family and loved ones. Her decorating style is superb too.

Please visit these ladies and you'll know what I mean.

Also Ann from This Simple Life also wanted me to tell 7 things about myself that no one knows, but I did that here so if you haven't already this makes for a good laugh. Now don't think I have other things that are quite strange about me because I do. I am one strange lady, but I don't want to make this post too long. LOL.

Watcha Working on Wednesday... Supertabulous!!!!

Alrighty everyone my son has come up with a new word "Supertabulous!!!" Yes this was the way he described his first day of school. I will keep you updated on when the word changes because it will. It will start getting tough and he'll hate school in... I'll give it a week. My DD came home excited that she met a new friend Brent, who is in her special ed classes, and the other "friend" Eric is in like 3 of her classes. He was very excited to see her. LOL. The school is so awesome as my DD has a class called "Tech Ed" basically it is computer class. But you should hear what they are doing. She will be doing web design, picture editing, and other stuff I can't remember. So maybe she'll strike up an interest in that and be able to help me. She is very excited.

So on to Leslie's (My Country Home) Watcha working on Wednesday. Remember the chalkboard I bought....



I painted the frame...


I hung it at the bottom of the steps coming down from upstairs. That way my kids will see it when they come down and are getting ready for school. With my kids I have to get specific and remind them of little things or they don't do them. The peg rack below was a redo also and I quick sewed up a bag to hold the chalk. I still need to coffee stain it, but you get the idea. I just got it hung last night so I was trying to throw it together for you to see. I still want to hang a sign above the chalkboard that says Grand Central Station, but I don't have the wood to do that.



This is what the peg rack looked like before...



I also painted the Tater Bin... now I haven't sanded or primmed it up yet. I am deciding what I want to paint on it or leave it plain. I was thinking some type of quilt pattern on the lid and the front, BUT I don't know.



Yesterday one of errands was to pick up my screen door I purchased Saturday. Now I only have a Chevy Blazer and if you'll keep in mind a screen door is pretty big. OK a lot bigger than I anticipated. Picture this the girl from the store and I open the back of my truck lift this door in and slide it in. The edge of the door reaches from the front seat to the back gate of my car. She looks at me and says "Well if you duck your head a little you should be able to drive home." So I jump in the driver's seat head ducked driving home. Good thing I have tinted windows huh!!!! LOL. So here it is... Don't mind the shoes that's another project.



I also went to the thrift store because I was out and had to go to the bank next door. Anyway I got some some great stuff that I will show you later because this post is long enough. I am SOOOOO excited. Once again I saw something someone had in their hands and was bummed because I wanted it. So.... patiently I waited and out of the corner of my eye he put it down. I sprinted over there snatched it up and bought it. I just need to figure out where to put it. LOL. You're curious aren't you... admit it... you're thinking what could be that good.... trust me it's awesome!!!! But no I'm not telling or showing today. :-p