My major in college was Industrial Distribution. What is that you ask? Basically it is an engineering business degree. Sounds odd I'm sure for an artsy type girl. Anyway, one of my favorite classes was fluid dynamics. I'm sure this is the perfect opportunity to insert some kind of bar/drinking college joke, but I will pass. This really was a class I took and I really did like it. In our lab we had this large board with all kinds of tubes, valves and switches. There were other variables like ... continue reading...
Blog
Where We Hunt: Junk Yards
Welcome to week 9 of our series, Where We Hunt. One more week to go as we reveal our secrets, tips and favorite spots to hunt for the best junk around. Join us next Friday for the last hot spot and a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! This week we explore junk yards! Sounds like an obvious spot for junk right? I'm sure the owners of these establishments would much rather I refer to them by their proper name, Auto Salvage Yards. Sounds way more fancy. Now, this little gem of a hunting ground is a ... continue reading...
Goodbye My Dear Friend
Today I am not writing about decorating or junking or painting. Today I am hoping you will humor me as I pay a small tribute to my dear friend and companion, my dog Rusty. Todd and I got Rusty for Valentine's Day 1998, he was six weeks old. Rusty had a rough start. He was a pound puppy, a straight up mutt. He had kennel cough, pneumonia and distemper. Dogs don't usually live through stuff like that. The pound told us we could bring him back and trade him in. He already had our hearts ... continue reading...
A Rock and A Hard Place
Whenever I am working on a project that needs painting or has a saw involved my "workspace" is the porte-cochere between my house and our guest house. The guest house was a garage in it's past life, before we bought our house and turned it into a retreat for company. That means we don't have a garage. A lovely covered drive through makes due for our impromptu workshop. Working in the shade of this space, enjoying the breeze that blows through, listening to music while my kids ride bikes around ... continue reading...
Where We Hunt: Garage Sales
Ahhh...the most obvious of all hunting grounds for purveying goods. Here are a few tips that hopefully are new to you! Here are my who, what, when and where of garage sale shopping Who - What kind of shopper are you? There are many varieties in the yard sale world. If you aren't having luck, you may need to change who you are as a shopper. If you don't dig around, start trying. If you slowly look at everything and talk forever to the hosts, maybe you are taking too long and would find more if ... continue reading...
Jam Tarts: A British Tea Time Treat
British Jam Tart Recipe We really love going to the movies. Well, all of us except my husband...but that is another story. I took the kids to see Paddington a few weeks ago. It was a cute movie about the unintentionally mischievous bear of the famous children's books. We all enjoyed it. Out of the gate the whole movie had me thinking about my grandmother, who I call Neena. She was brought to my mind by the common love she shares with Paddington Bear. They both adore Orange Marmalade. While ... continue reading...
Saving For Later
I'm a saver. Not necessarily in the good money kind of way. Not in the hoarder way either. I'm the kind that buys a new outfit and saves it till I have somewhere important to wear it. I save my favorite scrapbook paper and stickers till the perfect project comes along. I save scripture verses for posts I haven't written yet, but just know they'll be exactly right someday. Good china - safely tucked away in the cabinet. Reserved for holiday use. What in the world am I waiting for? Lately I ... continue reading...
Where We Hunt: The Library
Welcome to week 7 of our 10 part series on where we scour for the best junk around. Check here if you missed a week and want to catch up. A Case for Books The Library might seem a bit odd as a hunting ground for junk. It pretty much has only one item to offer, but if you ask me there is so much to do with that one item! Our library has a FREE books section. Now, you know that is one of my favorite words. It is this giant case full of free books. Books land on this shelf when they are retired, ... continue reading...
My Hearts: An Easy Valentine Décor Idea
Easy Valentine Decor Idea Yes, it says hearts with an s. I have more than one. I have 5. Five hearts God put under my watchful eye, in my loving heart and gave me the privilege of caring for. Those hearts belong to my husband Todd, my daughter Mae, my sons Hank and Sadler and my heart. Maybe it is really one heart in five pieces. Anyway you look at it I am not whole without each part. I usually glide right past Valentine's Day, we rarely make a big deal of it around our house. I consider it ... continue reading...
From Discarded to Light
I frequent all the typical junk joints – flea markets, garage sales, thrift stores, etc., but curbside shopping is a personal favorite. Curbside shopping is open for business 24/7, any place, anytime for anybody. Best of all it’s FREE. You will rarely find something in someone’s bulk trash pile that doesn’t require some TLC and imagination. Not to mention you have to be willing to pull over, dig around until you find something and then put it in your car. It’s not for everyone. You’ll find like ... continue reading...
