Trash To Treasure Party

It was slim pickens here for Yard Sales this weekend.


We stopped at an Estate Sale.
It was in it's third day, so there wasn't much left.
As we went from room to room, it brought back the memories of doing this just a few years ago at my Parents House.
The ladies who were having it were the daughters of the person.
I saw myself and my sister in them.
It was kind of hard going through this person's things......because I rememebr the feeling of strangers picking up and going through my parents things. But I reminded myself I was helping them out by buying things.....so onward we went.

First of all, why is it lately every sale has an Oil ClothTablecloth? 

And why do I feel the need to buy them??

This time one had a Holiday Theme with Holly and Berries, the other was a small pretty floral design $1 each. Also snagged a really pretty lace panel $1,

mirrored candle holder (needs a makeover before going to eBay) .25, the 5 glasses in the box were $1!

A bag of seeds $50, a little broken Christmas Tree (will be made into something, not sure what) .25, Jeannette Powder Jar with Swan on top that holds your lipstick (no chips, perfect! eBay bound) .25, an etched drinking glass with gold rim (cute) .25, assorted wooden spoons (another thing I can't pass up) and wooden handled kitchen utensils .25 each, a small sifter .25, and 2 old sprinklers .50 each.

I also found this pretty crocheted Valance (no plans for it yet) but for $2 I couldn't leave it there!

I'm linking up to Katie our host over at Along The Way With K & J 
for her Trash To Treasure Party 11. Be sure to pop over and see everyone's Treasure!

Fertilizer Friday!

It's time for Fertilizer Friday over at  Tootsie Time.

Tootise is out host, be sure to pop over and

see everyone Flaunt their Flowers!

We had a nasty storm last week and got down into the 50's...yes, I know that's warm for some of you. The cooler temperatures sent the Sunflowers into a downward spin. But not before some of the Goldfinches had a bite.

I found one lone Bloom that hadn't been damaged by the storm.

Then look what else I found! Yup, ripe Strawberries!!

Wouldn't you know this week the temps went back up into the high 80's?!

The plants are a bit confused, to say the least.

I thought I'd go out into the backyard and do some pruning.....

this little lady changed my mind.

I'll wait a couple weeks to prune to make sure Fall is truly on it's way.

Cinnamon Apples

 
Autumn brings with it warm and inviting scents.

Apples and Cinnamon spring to mind.

What if you could have those scents in your home all the time....

You can! Here's a quick little idea.

Supplies:

faux Apples

Mod Podge

wax paper

Spice mixture

(you can use whatever spices you like. I use cinnamon, ground cloves, nutmeg, even instant coffee sometimes. You just throw whatever amount you want to use into a bowl. I like to use a plastic container so when I'm done I can pop on the lid and save for another time)

Use a brush to coat your faux Apples with the Mod Podge.

Once coated roll them in your spice mixture.

Set on wax paper and let dry, about an hour.

You can add another layer of Mod podge

followed by the spice mixture, if you'd like.

It's totally up to you. 
Just be sure to allow to dry between layers.

They're ready to display when thoroughly dry.
They look really great in wooden dough bowls

Or antique baskets

Or anywhere you'd like a yummy scent!

Mosaic Monday ~ Pumpkins!

Pumpkins Pumpkins Everywhere!
It's that time of year we see them all over.
Just in case you didn't get your fill,
thought I'd help you out!! LOL

It's Mosaic Monday over at Little Red House
be sure to visit and see everyone's beautiful mosaics!

FREE Paint! Free Glidden Paint!!

Thanks to Thrifty Decor Chick for letting us know

about another paint giveaway from Glidden!

Go here to register for your free paint.

It's not quite as easy as last time ~

you have to tear off a label from another paint can you already have

and send it in to get the free paint.

 Not too bad for a free quart of paint though!

You have to register by TODAY!!

I chose Mid Day Mocha :~)

Just Tickled!

My daughter, youngest son and I went to visit my Dad

and were lucky enough to hit a few primo Yard Sales along the way.

Now, we live in a small town so we can get excited by the littlest thing,

like Mr Pickle standing on the corner!!

We aren't lucky enough to have a Mr. Pickle Sandwich shop in our town :~(  LOL

One of the Yard Sales we hit was next to these critters. Aren't they awesome?! Can you believe they are carved with a chainsaw?

Ok, time to show my haul!

Aren't these lovely? The 2 Candeliers ~ will end up on eBay.

$2 each for the stand and Candeliers, Book .50

The plant stand is MINE!

The Tablecloth on the left will go with my Kitchen Makeover (if I ever get it done), 2 oilcloth tablecloths (one has bunnies for Easter, great for the outside table), $1 each. 2 flats = tons of Christmas Cookie Cutters/Pancake Molds (any and all ideas will be appreciated!) .10 each, 5 boxes of new Snowflake Lights, $1 each, wall lamp $1, gold leaf garland .50, topiary $1, bag of Rosehips .50, oval Cloche .50, Mary Higgins Clark (my daughter loves her and collects her books) hardbacks $1 each, odds and ends .50 each.

A tote (you know me and totes, I never met one I didn't like!) .25,

Great old books with awesome graphics I hope to share with you, $1 each,

and old Eye Wash bottle (too cool) $1, old kitchen utensils .25 each, AND looky at that old blow dryer!! Can you belive it still works? It has a cold, hot switch and to turn it off and on you plug or unplug $3. 

The green tin will be filled with Oranges for a Holiday Gift .50, a box of bells .10, a clock I plan to makeover .50, and why I bought that fake cake I do not know! .25

And the best I saved for last! When I saw her I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest!  I was brave and asked how much.....knowing it would be most likely out of my price range. When she said $3, I picked her up so fast I almost dropped her!!

Isn't she just the most amazing thing?

I love her lead panes

in all her chippy glory

Even the Mr. loves her!

I really checked her out and found a small price tag that read $45!

 I'm hoping to incorporate her into the Kitchen Makeover,

if I ever finish the cabinets and are able to move on to the decorating!

Yes, I'm tickled to say the least!

It is always so hard to say goodbye to Yard Sale Season. Each weekend brings it closer to an end. And each weekend I rush out to find that one last Treasure.

Crazy Dog!

We have a variety of pets, but our dogs are the most comical!

Especially our Great Dane, Cyndar. She is such a goof!

Whenever we have Tuna I give the empty cans to the cats to "clean up".

They, of course, love that.

The other day after they were done, Cyndar sneaked (now it's hard for a dog of her size to sneak...but somehow she did) into the kitchen and snagged the cans!

When I found her she had a collection going....

I don't think she wants to give them up...

Katie says "Why are you taking her picture? She's only licking a can?
AND she has her bottom up in the air!"

She just thinks she's the Queen of the Tuna Cans, doesn't she!

Pomagranite Jelly

Pomagranites are another of my favorite Fall fruits.
I get my Poms from the same elderly couple I get my Apples from each year. They have the largest Poms I have ever seen!
They are so yummy and fresh.  They make flavorful jelly too!!



An easy way to juice Pomegranates is to roll them on a hard surface, like your counter, applying pressure as you roll.  While you roll the Pomegranate you will hear the seeds pop inside. Once they are all popped it will feel "soft".

 While holding the Pom over a bowl, poke a couple of holes into it. I use an old ice pick and wriggle it around a bit.

The juice will start comming out. Squeeze the Pom with your hands until the juice stops.

You can also remove the seeds from the Pom and put them through a juicer.
OR
You could just purchase Pomegranate juice from your grocer.  



Pomegranate Jelly

4 cups Pomegranate Juice

7 cups Sugar

2 lemons, juiced

1 (6 fluid ounce) container Liquid Pectin

Combine Pomegranate and Lemon Juice with Sugar in a large stainless steel pot. Bring to boil over high heat and at once stir in Liquid Pectin. Bring to a full rolling boil and boil exactly 1/2 minute. Remove from heat and skim off foam.

Ladle into hot, sterilized jars to within 1/4 inch from the top. Wipe rim, seal with lid and ring and close tightly. Process in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes. Makes 4 1/2 pints.

Fall Means Apples!

Fall Fruit means Apples! They are so versatile.
There is an elderly couple that live on one of our backroads,
that I buy Apples and Pomegranites from each year.
Applesauce is usually the first thing I make,
it fills the house with such a great smell.
I always put hide a quart away for my Easter dinner.
Here's a couple great recipes I use every Fall.


Applesauce

8 pounds Apples, peeled, cored, and quartered (24 cups)

1 to 1 1/2 cups Sugar
2 Tablespoons Cinnamon (optional)`

In a large pot combine Apples and 2 cups Water.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat.

Cover and simmer for about 8-10 minutes,  stiring often.
Remove from heat.
Mash Apples with a potato masher till smooth.
If you like it on the chunky side, just slightly mash Apples to your preference.
Add Sugar and, if desired, Cinnamon to Apples.

Mix thoroughly. Return to boil.
Spoon boiling Applesauce into hot, clean jars, leaving a 1/2 inch headspace.

Wipe rims and adjust lids. Process in boiling water bath for 20 minutes.
Makes 6 pints.

Baked Apples

Halve and core Apples (one per person)
Place on foil covered cookie sheet,
Top each Apple half with a spoon of Brown Sugar
and a dollop of Margarine.
Bake at 400 degrees for about 30 mins.
Enjoy!

Sunday Free Treasure!

My daughter got home from her volunteer work and she surprised us by bringing Pizza for dinner! YAY!!

sweet, sweet girl!!

On the way she passed a sale that had a sign saying everything was FREE!!
I knew the local  Cheerleaders had had a rummage sale yesterday and today, which I wasn't able to go to..darn it!

 Anyway, I guess whatever was left needed to move out!

She asked if I wanted to go check it out....before she could finish her sentence, I was dressed (had already gotten my comfies on) and out the door! 

 I grabbed a birdcage (no idea what I'll do with this), basket, knit hat, toile valance AND a paint by number painting... you know how collectable these are right now?!  

Got a few pieces of clothing, cute purse,

and tons of VHS tapes...hey they were FREE!!!

WHEW..what a rush!! LOL
Till next time......

I'm linking up with Along the Way with K & J for "Trash to Treasures"

AB4B Oct. Launch ~ Things We are Thankful For

Well, it's the beginning of a new month,

you know what that means!

Age Before Beauty Launch on eBay

This month the theme is "Things We are Thankful For".

Be sure to pop over and check out everyone's creations.

Met Monday & Today's Thrifty Treasures ~ Shutter to Mail Caddy

I'm joining Southern Hospitality for Today's Thrifty Treasures 

Be sure not to miss this last one,

do pop over and see what everyone has found!

I'm joining Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch

 for Metamorphosis Monday. Be sure to take a peek at everyone's transformations.

I've been thinking about those Shutters I found at that great Treasure Hunt  I posted about a few weeks ago.

They are a great small size, perfect for something.....

Then the light bulb went on!

I am in the middle of painting my kitchen and plan on a great idea to revamp my cabinets, and recovering my kitchen benches. Several other tweekings are in the works.

Currently I use a little white metal basket that hangs on the wall to hold bills and other important papers. Not unattractive but not attractive either. The reason it needs to be in view is because out of sight is definitely out of my mind :~|

So here's what I did~~~~

I took the section with the knob off by unscrewing the hinges,

which left the two to close like a book.

 I also removed the knob and the latch.

Keeping the section of two together,

I added the knob to the front of the "new" shutter.

I placed the latch on the front shutters side so when it was closed it

would latch onto the back shutter.

I added a small nail for it to hook onto.

I hung it where I wanted using a couple of good ol' nails.

Added those lovely bills into the back louvers...

Closed and latched

 I thought of repainting it nice and white,

but decided to keep the distressed look.

Besides, I've been doing so much painting lately,

one less thing was a Godsend!

So there you have it a mail/bill holder in disguise ;~)