Tips for Frames and Mats & a Remodel

I've been very busy the last few days - painting frames and ugly mats which had a hideous color on them. Yes, you can paint mats. Just do it "drily" and don't get the mats too wet. I wouldn't do it if I was going to sell it but for my own use I would. Nuuuuuu, don't do it to a picture with value to it because it would probably devalue, it but to one that isn't much more than eye candy for you, it would be fine.

Two little clothespin bags I did today also.

Here's the remodel we hope to get done this summer. I'm dreading the plaster dust all over the house but it gives me more wall space and I definitely need that, my sweet chicks!! :-)

Vintage Chippy Spice Rack

WOW! A sweet aussie chick came up with a grand idea and it's doable! The lettering can be changed so I can add the world "Glitter" if you want for all you "glitter bugs"! If you buy it the choice is yours what you want on there: Spices or Glitter or whatever you want that will fit in that space!!!.

Isn't this cute? I was going to keep it but I looked around my kitchen and there was absolutely no place for it! I'm disappointed but I'll sell it on my other blog - La Maison Rose.

I call my kitchen, actually my whole house, a "senior" house, my little cherubs, because the kitchen barely accommodates 2 of us and I usually throw hubs out! It's a good size, just not the type for 2 cooks and you KNOW who stays!!! The "primary prep area" is in the corner and the dishes/glasses are above that. We just get in each other's way. I'm truly trying to figure out how to remedy this problem. Nuuuuuuu, I ain't let "the hubs" cook! Have you ever heard of "scrapple"??!!! Well, he likes that stuff and we can't get it out here in the west. It's a Pennsylvania "specialty" and I use that term verrrrry loosely!!! And he'd completely destroy my stove!

If anyone can think of any other use for it, I might just keep it, but I put "Spices" on it!! Aaaarrrghh....... Grumble, grumble............

Tickled Pink!

I'm just tickled pink over what I finally got in the mail today! Three little metal lacy looking pedestals for showing off pretty things. Take a look at what I selected to put in them in the first picture, my sweet little chickadees. Plus they were on sale for an absolute "steal"!

Plus I walked over to a neighbor's garage sale this weekend and she gave me those little salt and pepper shakers on the right side! We'd given her a big "pine-type" tree; at least, I think it's pine. Something like a Scotch pine only the needles aren't quite as long. Anyway, it was too close to our house and couldn't find any place else to put it and I wasn't too keen on that tree anyway - not much shade. So we asked them and they were thrilled to put it in their back yard. So she brought down a "pink" lily a few days ago and then these salt and pepper shakers. I've painted them pink and just may put them in my store. They are very pretty and elegant looking but I truly don't need any more!

Then I just wanted to show you the little tag tree with some pretty silk roses in it. I might do something else also, just not quite sure yet.

Plus I gotta tell you chickadees that I finally couldn't stand it any more!! I finally told hubby to look at the LR window and see if he noticed anything different. I knew from the look on that face that it was one of "let's not play this game again" looks, so I told him I liked him better when he drank! Puzzled, he looked at me. I said "you were more chuckly when you had a scotch and water." I guess it kind of sobered him a bit because he then chuckled. I'm just a wild and craaazzzzy gal!!!! Anyway, he didn't notice so I told him about the curtains. He just doesn't notice and I think I'd better give up before he tosses me out into the front fountain or I "toss my cookies" from suspense! Oh, we gave up the little alcohol we DID drink when we joined the church. Nuuuuuu, we're not alcoholics and never were unless you consider 3 drinks a year for me and 1 drink a month for him.

Recipe Swap - Cooked Cucumbers

You might say "cooked cucumbers? yuck" but non non, mes amis, il est magnifique and will be a hit with just about anybody. An easy gourmet recipe. I sometimes do NOT measure anything because I just go by what feels right for the 2 of us. But this recipe should be enough for 4 people. Besides, use your imagination and experiment with your creativity, my little french chefs!! A little of this, a pinch of that and voilà, a masterpiece!
***
Ingredients

Cucumbers
Scallions
Butter about 1-2 Tblsp
Heavy whipping cream
Salt and pepper to taste
***

Peel 2 or 3 cucumbers. With a spoon, scoop out the seeds and cut into slices about 1/4 of an inch and then cut those in half. Then macerate the cucumbers in a bowl of water with about a tblsp of vinegar for about 1/2 hour. (I use red wine vinegar because that's the only kind of vinegar I buy and it works just fine.) After the hour drain cukes and pat dry with paper towels. Proceed after the hour with the next part.


Chop up some scallions including some of the green part for color. Put some butter in a skillet and add the scallions. Fry slowly until golden and then add the cucumbers. Then add in some heavy whipping cream. Heat a few minutes slowly and serve immediately. Add salt and/or pepper to taste.

Bedroom Redo of the Redo!

Sorry, but I've changed my mind again! While going through some things today I found this scarf I bought about 2 years ago. Got to thinkin'! A beautiful scarf with some of the colors in the vintage looking french postcard border on the wall, it just seemed to scream at me. So I put it up there and it truly looks better than anything I've tried so far. I have so much fabric and "stuff" that I truly don't know all I have!

Into our 4th day of hubs being back from trip and still hasn't noticed the new LR curtains! LOL