Thrifty Treasures & Met Monday

 

Hey Y’all … Long time no see! Some of you may have noticed that I have been awol from my blog the last couple of weeks.. First I would like to thank you all that sent search messages and emails asking “what’s going on”.. Well I’ve been doing what my Doctor ordered and relaxing doing NOTHING. My ole blood pressure has been sky high and they’ve been playing around with my meds, and the ole kidneys decided they wanted to be ugly and start up their troubles again.. so I have so-so days and really bad ones. The last few days have really been great so I decided that I’d get back into finishing up a few projects .. which I’ll be spreading out over the next several days for you.

I’m kicking off the week with a couple of Thrifty Treasure finds..

First this frame.. paid 1.00 at Goodwill .. it was a yellow tag item and yellow was the 50% color that week. It didn’t have a glass.. but I knew I didn’t need one cuz I was turning this lil beauty into a chalk board.

   

Next I got these 2 frames for .50 cents ea .. also from Goodwill.

I took the yellow frame .. tossed the print inside.. and sprayed it white.

I love the little details on it… Added a piece of plexiglass that I had which was perfect size.

And Voila .. New Chalkboard for my Kitchen!

I had saw this cute idea on another blog .. Angie @ The Happy Homebody made these cute framed Pears..

I took the other 2 frames and sprayed them black.. took a pear cut it 3/4 as shown below …

And made these..

I’ve not decided if I’m gonna keep the background white or not.. It looks a bit bold with my new window treatments colors I’ve chosen .. but.. I’m also adding white china dishes to the walls .. so we’ll see how it looks then. If I change them you’ll be seeing them again on another addition to Met Monday.    

Make sure you drop by Southern Hospitality & Between Naps on the Porch to see more Met Monday & Thrifty Treasures.

 

Hugs Y’all,

Debbie

Tablescape Thursday & Foodie Friday … Tea for Two

 

Welcome everyone to my addition to Tablescape Thursday & Foodie Friday.. I’m double posting again this week so this is gonna be a bit long and may take a bit longer for all the photos to load.. so please be patient .. I promise it’s worth the wait.

 

This week I’m featuring a few pieces from a set of china that is very dear to me.. It was a gift given to me by a special friend Connie.  While visiting Connie in Pennsylvania 22 years ago.. I spotted these on display at her local grocery store. They were sold in pieces… and each week they would feature a different piece for sale. Well since I was just visiting and knew we didn’t have this particular grocery chain in Georgia.. I left empty handed.  At that time I was stocking up my Hope Chest.. and I had already bought a really pretty set of china.. so I knew I didn’t need these.. but that didn’t detour me from lusting over them. Pink, blue and all things flowers was my thang back then lol.

 

Anyways... Six months later Connie came down to Georgia for a visit and with her she brought me the complete 8 piece setting along with every coordinating piece to the set. I was in complete shock!  Every time I think of or use this set I’m reminded of Connie.. and how diligently she worked to collect all of these pieces just for me. I will… just as I have these past 22 years… cherish them and the love that went into getting each and every piece for me.

The beautiful Teapot is not part of the set.. but I’m featuring it today because for those of you that haven’t heard.. This is the Teapot I won 2 weeks ago from Applestone Cottege!

Cindy was doing a give-away.. which she does often.. and I was blessed with winning this new treasure.

• Crystal Vase holding fresh geranium blooms:  Mikasa from Mikasa Outlet located at Tanger Outlet in Locust Grove Ga.

I love it.. and it goes so beautifully with my “Connie China”.

China..

• SOMERSET by EXCEL
• Description: BLUE FLOWER BAND, BLUE RIBBONS, FLOWERS
• Flatware: Cambridge Cocktail Forks & Tea Spoons .. Linens–n-Things *purchased a year ago*

  

• Blue Table linen .. Martha Stewart Collection: Purchased at Kmart after Christmas sale.

 

• 2 Tier Silver Server .. A Goodwill find from last week.
• White Chippy Butterfly Votive .. gift from Cindy @ Applestone Cottage.

Food:

• Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds: Dove brand .. Target
• Pinkish Gem colored candy: M&M’s Premium Raspberry White Chocolate Covered Almonds .. also from Target.
• Cookie Bars: Murray .. from Target.

• Sweet Peach Tea: Green Mountain .. Box of bags purchased recently from Ross.

   

• White Napkins & Black Flower Napkin Rings: Pier1.
• Silver Server Tray: Goodwill .. recent find.
• White Ruffle Dessert Plate.. Ross.
• Peaches: Fresh Grown Georgia Peaches .. local produce stand.
• Bolero Almond Wafer Sticks: Ross .. recent purchase but can be found fairly reasonable online at Greek Gourmet.

 

Homemade Peach Ice Cream:

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 1/2 pounds fresh peaches - peeled, pitted, and chopped
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 pint half-and-half cream
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups whole milk, or as needed

DIRECTIONS:

1. Puree peaches with the sugar and half-and-half in batches in a blender or food processor. Do not just use chunks of peaches.. they freeze.. and it’s not tasty. You can always add fresh slices once you’ve finished as I did in the picture above.
2. In a gallon ice cream freezer container, mix together the peach mixture, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and vanilla. Pour in enough whole milk to fill the container to the fill line, about 2 cups.
3. Here’s a lil tip.. Cooling the container mixed with ingredients first in your frig for about 45 minutes will help the ice cream harden faster .. just give it a quick stir to redistribute the pureed peaches before placing into your maker.
4. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your maker to freeze the ice cream.

   

It only took a couple of minutes in this Georgia heat to start melting.. but it was still delicious!

Thanks for dropping by .. and make sure you head back over to Between Naps on the Porch & Designs By Gollum and visit them and all those participating in their parties this week.

 

 

Hugs Y’all,

Debbie

 

Outdoor Wednesday … Komatsu

It’s Outdoor Wednesday time .. Special Thanks to Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer for always hosting this fun weekly party. Please drop by and visit her and all those participating this week.

 

This is what I woke up too the other morning…

A Big ole mess… and nodda soul in sight.

 

That’s my mailbox laying there… I also have new neighbors across the street.. Thank God! That Aqua colored house was a victim of foreclosure earlier in the year.. and a victim to a color blind previous owner. It’s finally happy now soaking up it’s pretty new tan color. Let’s hope they work on removing that dead tree soon.

 

What is this mess.. well.. that’s what I was asking myself for over 3 hours as it sat there unattended.

When the nice guys from the Water Department returned from their “ lunch break” they told me they had to dig up all that to replace a small seal under the street that connected to a line across the street. 

 

As they promised.. they covered it back up.. threw out some seed.. hoisted the mailbox back in it’s rightful place and left a huge Georgia red clay spot in the street.

 

Oh by the way…  I did not encourage my child to climb up on this piece of machinery that did not belong to us.. nope no way no how did I beg  and plead with her to do it so I could get a picture.. I also didn’t tell her that I had proof that she was trespassing after taking said begged for photo.

Hugs Y’all , Debbie

 

A Fifi Flowers Design Original.. My Table for One Tablescape

 

I’ve been Fifi’d .. Oh what an incredible honor! I feel like I was elected Prom Queen! *adjusting tiara as I gloat and do my redneck happy dance* I’ve been pea green with envy seeing her wonderful paintings posted on everyone’s blog.. a beautiful room here, a beloved pet there, an outdoor setting and even tablescapes. Oh how I wished for one.. but I didn’t dare submit a request.. I felt I had nothing worthy of her incredible talents. She’s so whimsy.. I’m so plain Jane. But no more.. I have a lil whimsical class on board my blog.. and soon on my walls at home. I can’t wait for it to arrive .. my mind is churning for the perfect spot for my newest treasure.

 

Last week Ms Fifi left a comment telling me to come by her blog that she had a lil something for me..  This is what I found…

Table In The Meadow..

 

Isn’t it Absolutely Gorgeous!

Fifi is so amazingly talented.. I do hope you all stop by her blog and view her work.. and read all of the wonderful articles written about her and her wonderful talent.

Fifi Flowers Design Decor

Below is the photo of my tablescape that inspired the painting.

Thank You Fifi.. I LOVE my Fifi Original !

Hugs, Debbie

Blog Hop ..Encouragement

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Marianne Williamson

They said she was too short.. too little…

Not strong enough for Varsity Volleyball… But she knew better!

Let It Shine Babygirl… Let it Shine!

Heirloom Party

Marie at Emma Calls Me Mama… is having an Heirloom Party today..  Click the link below and come on and join in on the party.

 

 

My selection today is a couple of precious family heirlooms passed on to me when my birth father passed away a few years ago...

• 2 Books from 1913
• 1 pair of antique eye glasses
• Antique Mantle Clock

All originally belonged to my Grandmother.

The first book is a 1913 Georgia school book:  First Lessons in Georgia History

By: Lawton B. Evans Published by: American Book Company 1913

The cover isn't in such great shape..It is stained, weathered, torn and the title is worn away, but all pages are intact and in wonderful condition.

 

The next book is: Bobbsey Twins at Snow Lodge

By: Laura Lee Hope Published By: Grosset & Dunlap 1913

Bobbsey Twins at Snow Lodge was book number 5 of 117 written in the Bobbsey Twins Stories Collection. A lil bit of info I found on the internet states: The Bobbsey Twins series is probably the  longest-running juvenile book series of all time.  The first book was published in 1904 and new volumes were added as late as 1992. Source: Keeline

The cover is in really nice condition and all pages intact and in great condition.

My Grandmothers Reading Glasses...

Or as she called them.. Her Reading Spectacles. This is one pair of about 3 she had and I'm not sure how old this particular pair is. The case is at least 60 years old..

My birth Dad bought this one in Germany for her just before he returned from WWII.

Inside view of the case. It's lined with felt which is very worn.

My Antique Mantle Clock:

Beautifully detailed carved body is in great condition.

     

I'm not certain on it's exact age but based on stories and tales that I've been told over the years it is somewhere around 120 years old. Back in 1890 it was given "used" as a wedding gift to my paternal great Grandparents by my great great Grandparents.  Who in return gave it as a wedding gift in 1915 to their only female child, my  Grandmother Maude. Since my Grandparents only had boys and didn't have a female child to continue that tradition it stayed in my Grandmothers possession until her passing in 1992. Have I lost ya yet? I hope not.. it gets simple from here on. When my Grandmother passed she left it to her eldest son.. My Dad Thomas. A few years ago when my birth Dad was 85 he became very ill and just before his death he passed the clock to me. Even though I have older siblings who rightly should have gotten it..He chose me... And he did so because he knew the care and respect I would take.. the love I had for it.. and that nothing but death would part me from it. Now if you're doing the math and trying to guess my age and you're a lil lost.. I'll help you out a tad.. My Dad was in his 50's when I was born! I was a shocking surprise! But not as shocking as my lil brother!

   

It keeps perfect time! I can usually go about 3 days between windings. Every half hour it strikes once and each hour it strikes according to time. Everything you see is original.. and to my knowledge it has only had to be mechanically repaired 2 times .. last time being in late 1970.

The glass door is in good condition with original gold etching of butterflies and scroll. Beautiful brass movement and pendulum. Original dial face a bit worn. Two key holes , one to wind for time.. the other for chime... and the original key.

     

 

Thank you for taking the time to view my precious family heirlooms. They are priceless to me and I have so enjoyed the opportunity to share them with you all. They rarely get a chance to come out of their secure hiding places... so I'm very grateful  to Marie for creating this party to allow us this opportunity to showcase our beautiful cherished pieces.

Have a Blessed Weekend,

Debbie