Painting Metal?

Recently, I saw a very cute project done with a plain metal serving tray and some spray paint. I had never attempted spray painting on metal and it intrigued me. Wouldn't you know it, the next time I was at the thrift store I found this little darlin' peeking out at me from the bottom shelf.

Once home, I had to decide what color... I narrowed it down to two. Finally decided on the Caribbean Blue, and sprayed my little heart out (after sanding the tray lightly of course). Here's the finished project, working quite nicely for a simple flower display when it's not being used for one of the many tea parties around here.

Project Update!

I've been working on several crafty projects lately and managed to complete a few.

First is my inaugural attempt at making a totebag out of purchased placemats...

The best part? The placemats were on clearance for about $1 each and the handles are made from the leftover pieces of my dog's leash after she got done chewing her way through it. So it was cheap and the handles are fantastically sturdy!

Then I took a little of these:

And made this for a dear friend's new baby girl...

My next project is also a baby gift. It seems to be the season around here! Here in the Northwest it typically goes like this about 9 months after hunting season. Call us old fashioned... something about having your man gone in the woods for a week... I don't know. ; )

Aaaahhh...

Almost a month later and I'm finally starting to feel settled! Of course I still haven't found the iron or my B vitamins, but all in all the unpacking process has only been slightly more frustrating than the packing process. : p

The one thing we didn't count on was the extreme disarray in the office/craft room. See, our other home had a ton of fabulous built-ins and we no longer have those so we're making do with one tiny desk and one file cabinet. Fortunately yard sale season is almost here (not holding my breath though as it snowed 4 inches here a week ago!) so I can find a cast off dining room table of some sort to use as a two sided desk with some extra workspace. Oooo, this would make a good before and after post, ya think? : )

I have to say though, that the blessings of being in our country home FAR outweigh any packing/unpacking blues. It's been such a joy to see the kids riding their bicycles along our 1/4 mile driveway without having to hover out there because there might be cars or pedestrians, or strange dogs, or what have you. Not to mention the fact that we can now actually do a unit study on stars and the night sky because we can actually see it! The quiet is absolutely lovely, as are the birds, coyotes, distant neighbors, etc. My thanks to a mighty God that provides such wonderful things to enjoy!!

Whew!

Coming out from behind all the boxes just for a moment to say that my opinion of packing has not changed. Nope... not one bit. Don't get me wrong, I am excited beyond belief to be moving into our home in the country finally, I just wish it didn't require packing. Sigh... the amazing thing is that we've moved twice before and I still haven't managed to pare down much. I'm constantly getting rid of stuff, but more just seems to seep in under the cracks in the doors. : ) Of course it's all "useful" stuff designated for homeschool projects, crafting ideas, or some other task. So my question then is... why am I having to pack it all??? Shouldn't it have all gotten used by now? I'm beginning to understand the resistance many folks have later in life to leaving the home they've always lived in. What an ordeal... sheesh!!

All that said... can I just say how thrilled I am at the idea of being out in the country again?? No more nervous monitoring of the kids while they ride bikes in the alley or play in the front yard. No more shushing them for the neighbor's sake when we're out gardening and they're spraying each other with the hose and squealing at 7am on a Saturday. Oooo, and my favorite part at the moment? We get to have chickens!!! Has anyone checked the price of eggs lately?? Yikes! So, bring on your good chickening tips!

Well, back to packing!!

Bread, bread, everywhere!

Well, yesterday I made some Strawberry Rolls to take to our monthly mom's get together and my kids were hoping for leftovers, but alas, they got scarfed down lickety split. So, I assured the kids (Curlylocks especially) that we would make replacement rolls today. This began this morning with cinnamon roll dough being mixed up. Somehow it snowballed (breadballed?) into homemade soft pretzles and bagels as well. I was shocked at just how easy it was to make homemade bagels. Lots of little steps, but it actually kind of fits nicely with homeschooling life. Work a little, knead a little, work a little, shape the bagels, work a little, etc.

The recipes for bagels and pretzles I found at www.thefreshloaf.com. I saw this link on a blog here the other day (I'm so sorry, I don't remember who posted it... it was in a comment), checked it out because I love baking bread, and was thrilled at the tutorials there for things I've always deemed too difficult to try myself (bagels and pretzles being at the top of that list).

I am so excited because I've been trying to make more things from scratch lately that seem to cost a ridiculous amount at the grocery store, especially considering what they're made of. Some examples... Refried Beans, Salad Dressing, Bread products, and Popcorn. These things are so easy to make from scratch, yet cost sooooo much at the store. Well, I'm on to 'em!! If you too are looking for simple recipes for these types of items, stay tuned... I'll post some of my new tried and true faves soon.

Mmmm... I smell bagels almost done... gotta run!

Oh!! But I found a fabulous post on a friend's blog about Invisible Mothers!! You must go now and read it! It will change your entire mood!!

Menu Monday

Skating in under the wire with this one, but at least it's still Monday! :) The good news is that you get an immediate review of the first recipe! Lovely!

Sunday -- Out to lunch and popcorn for dinner
Monday -- Mini Canneloni Bake with dinner rolls (this was good, but I'd amend the recipe to just one box of chopped spinach, 1lb of ground beef, and double the white sauce)
Tuesday -- Nachos (with leftover taco fixin's from last week)
Wednesday -- Fajitas
Thursday -- Potato Soup in the crockpot, some sort of fancy Valentine's dessert... any ideas??
Friday -- Homemade Pizza
Saturday -- Leftovers

My Birthday!

Wow! I can't believe that's it's my birthday already. The entire youth group sang to me last night and of course lots of church friends made a point of calling me "old lady". I guess because I'm finally 30 and most of them have known me since I was 19 and getting married. Most women can't seem to stand big birthdays, but this one feels good to me. I guess "twenty-something" always sounds so young when you've got three kids and the oldest is 9.

Plus... I think we earn our birthdays. I can't imagine ever lying about my age. First of all, you just eventually end up looking like a really OLD 29 (or whatever age you're pretending to be), second, no one ever really believes you, and third, I think lying about your age is like discounting everything that God has done in your life that year. I am thankful for all the years He has given me and what He has accomplished in me -- why would I want to take that away??

Just some reflective birthday thoughts... :)