Label Making...

A simple project today - but one I've been tryin' to get around to since Christmas.  My grandmother gave me some jars as a gift...

 

 

They were simple but that is what I wanted - they just needed some labels...

 

 

Some spray on Chalkboard paint and some mailing/shipping labels...

 

 

A couple of quick coats...

 

 

I added some lil' dashes around the edge with paint just to dress them up a bit...

 

 

 And they worked out perfect.  Now, I'll be honest - I was really trying to help out my hubby (wink) - see, he doesn't cook very often - AT ALL - but every once in a blue moon - he takes a notion.  Not so long ago he was gonna fry some squash - man, were they sweet!  After a little investigation - he said he mistakenly used powdered sugar instead of flour.  Oh well, better luck next time.  I should give him a lil' more credit - when he does cook - it is always good.  Thanks for trying Shaun!

 

 

And here they are - all lined up in the pantry and easy to tell the difference ;-)

 

 

All you  need are some labels and chalkboard paint - so go label something!

 

Shaun's Favorite Cake...

Happy Valentine's Day!!!  Hope everybody is doing well.  I've been into projects - just not posting 'bout them - not for sure why.  I'll do better - promise.

But today - I thought I'd share with you the recipe for my hubby's favorite cake.  Now, it is not complicated or difficult to make (if it were - I wouldn't be making it ;-)

It is a simple chocolate cake with homemade icing - a recipe that my sweet grandmother gave me - one she simply calls "Easy Chocolate Cake".

I took step-by-step pictures but somehow they were all stacked on top of each other - so the written/typed version will have to do.

Easy Chocolate Cake

CAKE
Bring to a boil
-1 stick of butter
-1 cup of water
-1/2 cup oil
-3 tablespoons of cocoa

...while waiting mix...

-2 cups SIFTED flour
-2 cups sugar together

...then add
-2 eggs
-1 teaspoon vanilla
-1/2 c. buttermilk
-1 teaspoon soda

... stir and pour first 4 ingredients over the mixture
...mix together well and place in greased pan
...Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes for a regular cake pan - approx. 50 min. for bundt pan

ICING

Bring to a boil...
1 stick butter
6 tablespoons of milk
4 tablespoons of cocoa

then add...
1 pound of powdered sugar (sifted)

...stir well

...Pour over warm cake

Now, I will have to say - that it doesn't really make a "pretty" cake - because the icing runs everywhere but oh my goodness - it sure is

............MMMMMMMMMM YUMMY!................

Happy Valentine's Day!

The Easiest of Re-do's

  GOOD - for under 10.00 - I could see the potential...

BETTER - nothing like a lil' spray paint...

PERFECT - for our bed side tables!

Have a great weekend everybody!

Burlap covered chair - Before and After...

 I'm sharing a lil' chair makeover that I just finished with you today.  It was a simple redo - all be it - but it made a BIG difference.

 Here she was before in all her "velour" glory...

 Just what color is that anyway?

 Some white paint and some distressing...

 I was inspired by Miss Mustard Seed's book where she used painter's tape to stripe a chair cushion - I thought I'd give it a try.  Of course I had already covered the chair bottom in burlap by this time.

 

Then I simply used my acrylic paint and painted some stripes down the middle. Be sure and remove the tape immediately.

 

  Then I simply free-handed a "No. 5" - don't ask me why I chose this - it was just the first thing that came to mind ;-)

 The color I used was "Settlers Blue" from Folk Art.

 And here she is...much better, don't ya think?

 I'm actually gonna be setting up a booth with my friend, Julie, at our local antique mall.  We are really excited about it.  So this chair will be in there for sale around the first of February - that is, if I don't decide to keep it myself.

 Have a Happy Weekend!

Cathy

Cuttin' Wood...

Today's post is about some farm work - well, a lil' farm/home work.  When we built our new house a year ago - my hubby was really interested in an outdoor wood burning stove.

 So after much thought and a lot of research - we decided to go with it - our choice was a "Hardy" stove.

 Here on the farm - we practice tree conservation - my husband actually loves trees - and his favorite subject to teach - forestry, of course.  As with any farm - we have naturally fallen trees and trees which are considered "non desirable" so this helped us make the decision to invest in this type of heating.  We also have electric heat by the way.

So Saturday afternoon we got started on another load of wood. 

 Here comes Shaun pulling the wagon...

Casen pulled the wood splitter - a wonderful modern convenience I must say - much quicker than the ole' axe.

Cutting...

Loading...

Splitting...

ME loading...I didn't know anybody took this picture...

And a couple of hours later...

A full load of wood ready to heat the house as well as save lots of $$$$

I love to see Casen in his element - he so loves the woods and outdoors just like his dad.  Some of my best memories as a child were when I went with my mom, dad and sister to cut wood.  Mom would always pack a picnic lunch and we'd play and help when we could.  Those were fun days - I hope Casen enjoys his time with us as much as we enjoyed the time with our parents.

Hope everyone is off to a great new year.  I've got some projects underway - I'll be showing ya soon!

Cathy

The "Family" tree..

...well, my friends - Christmas is here!  So I thought I'd show you where Santa Claus is gonna leave his presents this year.  I put our "family" ornament tree in the sun room this time. 

 

 

This tree is filled with ornaments that Casen has made over the years as well as the ornaments that have been passed down and collected over time.

 

 

Just to give it a bold pop of color - I used some embroidery hoops filled with some left over red fabric...

 

 

I really don't have "tree toppers" - I just always put a bunch of ribbon and stuff up there.  But I think I'm gonna be on the look out for a pretty star next year.  This tree needs a star I think.

 

 

Today, I caught my son in there - shaking presents and these were his words... ;-)

 

 

Sweet Ms. Evelyn gave me this book and I was so excited I squealed.  It's Miss Mustard Seed's new book - and I'm loving hanging out by the tree and drooling over all the beautiful pages.  But mainly, I love the spiritual and inspirational parts of the book even more than the GORGEOUS pictures.

 

 

I've also been busy wrapping a few more gifts - almost done!

 

 

 

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.  I'm so very grateful for my family and I simply can not get the families that have been so affected by tragedy lately off my mind.  I pray for peace this Christmas - for every heart.

 

  From our family to yours...

 

 

 

God Bless and Merry Christmas

 

Our mantle...

...nothing fancy - it just kind of matches the tree in the den.

 

 

I kept up my old window frame with my natural wood wreath I bought at Home Goods...

 

 

 Of course, I used burlap ribbon, some rustic snowflakes, balls, greenery...

 

 

 ...a pretty textured ribbon..

 

 

 ...some more peacock feathers and a few shiney things...

 

 

 At night by the fireplace - it is just now getting cool enough to use it.  I'm excited about having a first snowfall in our new home - maybe this year - fingers crossed.

 

 

Rounding out this room is my "PEACE" wreath.  I love this word - I so wish we could have it everywhere - in our world and in every heart.

 

 

And lastly,  a bit of Joy to the World by the door.

 

 

The Christmas countdown is ON!  Have fun wrapping up all the final details!  Eat lots of Christmas cookies - talk to you soon!