Feeling Creative

I mentioned in my previous post that I pulled out the sewing machine. I purchased this fabric last year and made a valance for above the kitchen sink, a table runner, and place mats.

I had some other things in mind and finally got to them. I have wanted a dust cover for my mixing bowl for a long time. I had looked at purchasing one, but I never found a fabric I liked. 

I am super happy with how it turned out! I also whipped up a tea towel to hang on my mini ladder. 

When thinking about my spring décor I have been looking in catalogs and watching YouTube videos. I noticed that brown wicker type items are "in." Many of them have the scalloped edging. I like how warm the brown wicker looks. I feel like the scalloped edging is a trend that won't stand the test of time. It's cute, but I don't want to spend money items that I like, but don't love, and will be considered dated sooner rather than later. I could be wrong and this is my humble opinion, so don't come at me. Honestly, if I wasn't budget minded I might buy a piece, as they are cute. 

All of that to say that I came up with a way to get that warm look. I purchased a roll of jute for under $5 and then got creative.

I wanted to make a vase. I grabbed this out the recycle bin and Chuck cut it down to size.   

I hot glued on the jute and then added some faux tulips that I bought for 40% off at H*bby Lobby.

I had some jute left and another idea was born. I once again went to the recycle bin and this time I pulled out a tin can. 

I pulled some florals from my stash. 

Another inexpensive item to add to my spring décor. 

I'm excited to start decorating, but first I need to do some cleaning. Not as fun, but necessary. 

Wendi 

Joy in the Ordinary

As the keeper of the home, it's easy to get lost in the mundane. To lose sight of joy as we are bogged down in the every day. One way to combat that is to stop and find joy in the ordinary moments. I personally know that this isn't always easy. What I do know is that when I am intentional about slowing down and finding joy it changes my perspective. 

Some ordinary, yet joyful moments from my week. 

The view if you look to the left out of my kitchen window. I guess if we are going to continue to have snow we can at least have sunshine to make it sparkle. 

All of the Valentine decoration have been tucked away for another year. 

I am now working on deep cleaning and planning my spring décor. 

This is reason #382 why hubby and daughter can't go to R*ural King without supervision!

Megan said you told us no new guns, you said nothing about chicks! ha Thank goodness we built a new coop.

It's pure joy to see this sitting on the counter and smelling it's goodness during the day. 

Doesn't every homemaker like to know dinner will be served with the lift of a lid?

It's been a long time since the sewing machine has made an appearance. I didn't need to watch Ben for most of last week, which meant I was able to do some creating. 

Don't get to excited. I'm not a very good seamstress. 

As I've been cleaning and planning my spring décor, I realized I wanted to add a few new items. A little retail therapy took place. 

Look around, really look around and you will find joy... joy in the every day... joy in the ordinary things. 

Wendi 

Mini Rolling Pin Makeover

I love the look of vintage rolling pins stacked in a crock. My issue is that I don't have a good place to display them. Small home issues. *smile* I thought that I could use mini rolling pins on my corner cabinet. I went searching for them and found them, although I could never commit. That idea went on the back burner until I saw this after Christmas. 

They were in the T*rget Dollar Spot packaged with a mini rolling pin and Christmas cookie cutters as a kids' baking set for $3. Bonus is that I was able to snag them after Christmas on clearance for $1! I purchased three sets. Two for me and the other one can be used along with the cookie cutter for my nephew to use with playdoh. 

The first one I stained. I used stain I had on hand...Provincial. 

The second one I added red handles. The red paint I had on hand was a little bright, so I added some the stain once the handles were dry. 

I'm going to use these in a display with my Naked Cake, so I was thinking about how I wanted to display them. I ended up buying a flour sifter from WalM*art for under $5. Chuck took out the screen so they would fit. What do you think?

I love it! I can't wait to create the little vignette in my corner cabinet. That will wait for another day. 

I need to rummage through my decor for a few things. My seasonal and extra decor is stored in this shed. I think I'll wait for another day to venture out there!

Wendi 

What's for Dinner?

I've been working hard on menu planning and cooking each evening. It's easy to fall into the lets grab something on a busy evening, and I'm trying to avoid that temptation.

Carne Asada tacos is new for us. Megan made this meal and it was delicious. The citrus marinade gave the meat a fantastic flavor. 

I rarely cook whole steaks. I find that if I cube the meat and sauté it in butter, olive oil along with salt, pepper and garlic salt that I use less meat. Bonus is that I find the meat to more tender than grilling the steaks. 

We call this chili, although most wouldn't consider it chili due to the lack of beans. Hubby doesn't like beans in his chili and the perk of cooking at home is that you can make meals to suit your family.  

I made honey butter to go with the cornbread. All I can say is... yum! Megan ate three slices! If you're interested I mixed 3 heaping tablespoons of butter with 1 1/2 tablespoons of honey. 

I enjoying seeing what others are eating. Many times I'm able to glean a thing or two for my own menu. 

Wendi

Joy in the Ordinary

As the keeper of the home, it's easy to get lost in the mundane. To lose sight of joy as we are bogged down in the every day. One way to combat that is to stop and find joy in the ordinary moments. I personally know that this isn't always easy. What I do know is that when I am intentional about slowing down and finding joy it changes my perspective.

Some ordinary, yet joyful moments from my week. 

Who doesn't find joy in chocolate? 

I did mention to Chuck that my baking of sweet treats will need to slow down. As tasty as they are, he agreed. Good for the taste buds, but dangerous for the waist line!

I ran across this picture in camera roll. My loves!

I was watching a YouTube channel and she said something along the lines of, "An empty laundry basket is the shortest five seconds of your life." 

That made me laugh. Such a true statement. 

Lots of reading happening around here. Maybe I'll post the books I've read next week. 

Chuck bought Megan and I a joint gift of a rice cooker for Christmas. I had no idea that it could be used to make oatmeal.

I no longer have to babysit it while on the stove and I found that making it the crock pot made more then I was able to eat before I sick of eating it. This has been a game changer!

After far too long I finally got a fresh cut. This picture made me smile as even my hairdresser can't tame those cowlicks. If you know, you know. 

This can only mean one thing... Chuck is starting a project! This girl loves a good project. 

Stay tuned and I will share the results soon. 

Look around, really look around and you will find joy... joy in the every day... joy in the ordinary things. 

Wendi 

Valentine Day Tradition

We keep Valentine's Day very simple around here. Going out involves a lot of wait, crowds and expense. Years ago I started a new tradition and it continues. 

When I woke up I found this note on the counter. *smile*

I started the day preparing in order to make the evening less hectic. 

It's our tradition to have lasagna and sugar cookies. Once cookies were made the lasagna was wrapped and in the fridge, I set the table. 

Let me be honest... I don't love the table cloth. I received it as a gift from my mother-in-law for Christmas. I thought I would love the black check paired with the black chairs. Sadly, I don't. The good news is that I don't use a table cloth often. You win some, you lose some, I guess. 

Anyway, each table setting had a card and the persons favorite candy. The is Megan's. 

It's been a while since I have made a lasagna. All I can say is yum! Good news is we have leftovers that I have slated for dinner on Sunday. Win, win!

When I went to clean up, I found that Megan had re-arranged some of the table decor. 

This made me smile. 

After dinner settled we ended the night with some television and a couple of cookies. 

Sweet and simple. Just the way I like it!

Wendi 

Joy in the Ordinary

As the keeper of the home, it's easy to get lost in the mundane. To lose sight of joy as we are bogged down in the every day. One way to combat that is to stop and find joy in the ordinary moments. I personally know that this isn't always easy. What I do know is that when I am intentional about slowing down and finding joy it changes my perspective.

Some ordinary, yet joyful moments from my week.

A sign that spring will come!

It's cold and suppose to snow, so this is a much needed reminder. 

Megan is having fun with her chickies. 
 

Doesn't every chick wish to be a cowgirl!

Donut from my guy for his girls!

Eggs! So thankful I am not purchasing eggs at the moment. 

Kitty kisses! I'm not sure the kitty was super happy for the love. *smile*

My cozy bed! I didn't feel my best a couple days this week. I thankful Chuck had a day off to keep up with Ben so I could rest for a couple of hours. 

Look around, really look around and you will find joy... joy in the every day... joy in the ordinary things. 

Wendi 

Naked Cake DIY

In my kitchen I have a cake stand on one of the shelves in my corner cabinet. I've had numerous items placed in the stand, but I've never been completely satisfied. At one point I thought I wanted a faux pie. I looked them up and found them anywhere from $40 - $75. Nope. Out of my price range.

Lately I've had a sign in the stand. It was fine, but not what I really wanted. I stumbled across a new to me YouTube channel recently and she had a faux naked cake that she styled for each season/holiday. Below is a shot of her cake from her Instagram account. 

You can find Simply Sweet Home here on Instagram or here on YouTube. 

I knew immediately that is what I wanted for my cake stand. I looked to see how much they were running. Anywhere from $25 - $59. Again, out of my price range!  I decided to make my own.

Here is how I did it. 

Now doesn't that look like real frosting piled on top!

Mine isn't quite as naked, but I love it! Once I start decorating for Spring I will show you it's new home. Look for some more DIY projects. All of a sudden I have the desire to craft!

Oh, and the total price of this project was $8.23.  Here is the price break down: $8.23 for the 8 in cake form and $0.51 for the paint. The spackle we had on hand. That's a price this girl can handle!

Wendi