Wednesday, February 22, 2012

What's Up Wednesday?

It's already middle of the week!  Where does time go?  I have been busier than a one legged man in a butt kicking contest for months now.  I thought by  now, I would be well into relaxation mode.  But no...this is not to be.  
I had my hair done yesterday by my daughter, Gennifer.  I always love to go for a fresh "do", but I hate to sit there looking into that mirror at the woman before me who I sometimes don't even recognize anymore.  She is fluffier, grayer,and more wrinkled and tired looking than ever before.  WHO is she?  When it was time for me to go sit under the dryer, I took my readers out of my purse and sat down next to two stacks of magazines and after shuffling through them, realized that there wasn't a ding dang thing in those that I cared to read.  In Style, Fashion, Vogue, Us, Hair....etc..etc...etc....I took my glasses off, and shut my eyes instead, enjoying a few minutes of meditation. 
Speaking of magazines, these are much more the norm here in my house.
I am long past the fashion magazines.  I love pretty clothes, just like the next girl, but I have never kept up on the latest trends in clothing and fashion.  My girls take after their Grandma, my Mom, in the clothes loving department.  I would much rather cruise the aisles of Home Depot than the mall, ANY day!!!
I also have large stacks of cooking magazines that I refer to often.
And in my sewing room are big baskets filled with these.
As well as a fair amount of these.
However, I will say, that since I have become addicted to Pinterest, I have not purchased a single magazine!
Let's see, what else is going on here?  I remade my living room curtains the other day.  I had bought an entire bolt of this fabric, thankfully.  I made them the first time and thought I could stitch witch the entire thing.  NOPE....that did not look finished.  I left them hanging that way for far too long, and knowing we were having company last weekend, I bit the bullet and re cut and made new panels, this time sewing them properly.
I love how they are just skimming the floor.   I also removed the rod and rings, and painted the brassy clips in Oil Rubbed Bronze.   Now they are SO much better.
If  you want to do a curtain rod very inexpensively, you can do what I did.  I purchased a length of closet grade doweling.  I had them cut it to size.  I then painted it in chocolate.  And used chocolate rings.  I purchased the brackets in the blinds department of Home Depot, and then painted the finials I already had in Oil Rubbed Bronze and screwed them into the ends of the rod. 
While I had my ORB out, I repainted this old pot rack that was my Mom's.  I remember it hanging up in the kitchen in the house where I grew up. 
Aha...so much better don't you think?
At Knitty Bitties the other day I crocheted this dishcloth to match my new dish towel.   I have knitted a lot of dish cloths, but never crocheted them before.  I think I will do more this way.
That burlap piece I showed the other day, found it's way into a little patio pillow.
I was going to use a method I had seen on Pinterest to copy the saying to my burlap.  You iron a piece of freezer paper to your burlap and then after choosing your font and arranging your saying,  you run it through your printer.  However, our printer being of the dark ages, did not allow for the thickness to feed through the machine.  I got it all goobered  up!!!  So I just took a black Sharpie and wrote it.  Unfortunately, I don't have pretty writing!  But I used it anyway.
This is the back.  A little piece of red and ecru toile.
While I was out on the porch taking pictures, Maui, my pretty calico kitty wanted some attention too.
You can see in the reflection of the window that my jasmine has exploded!  The smell as you walk up to our front door is heavenly.
Sunday when our guests left, we sent them all home with oranges and lemons and grapefruit and avocados.  And since I had accumulated a few dozen eggs, I sent them each home with some of those too.  Luckily, by this morning, I already had my pretty blue anthro dish all filled up, and then some.
The other day after I had gone to get more chicken feed, I popped into the antique shop that is next door.  I found this little gem back in the dark and dusty corners of the out building.  It set me back 3.00 dollars, and I knew just what I was going to do with it.
I stuck it in a piping hot sink of water with soap and bleach, and then put it in my sewing room to hold my accu quilt dies, and rulers for rotary cutting.  The mason jar holds white rice, and I stick my tools there that I am using so that I don't lose them on the cutting table when I am working.  I love the soft aqua color of this vintage dish drainer!
Before I go today, I want to mention a couple of nice blogging friends that gave me blog awards.  What I have decided to do instead of accepting and publishing awards, I prefer to mention a few blogs that I have found that I find fun and interesting in some way, so that I can share them with you.  So, to Heather at
Thank you!  Thank you for thinking of me, and wanting to pass along the award.  I have enjoyed Heather's blog for some time now, and I hope you go over to say hello and see what beautiful things she creates with her yarn and hook.  
And also to Debb at
has extended an award to me.  Thank you Debb!  Like Heather, Debb is a busy lady with hook and yarn!  Go say hi and see what she has been up to. 
Lastly, I have to say THANK YOU to Jill at
I won a giveaway that Jill held on her blog, that was filled with Disneyland gifts for kids.  As soon as she told me I had won, I knew three little kiddos that would be thrilled to see this box come!  So when it did, I called them all over to help me open it up, and they were so excited to see those goodies inside.
Unfortunately, they were all so excited that I didn't get any good pictures!!  Here is one with my granddaughters wearing their new Minnie Mouse purses though.
Well, I told you there weren't any good pictures....but here is one of the three of them.
Okay...another bad picture.  Well they were all three in motion, and so excited to see what all was inside that box!  Thank you Jill!!!!  They were so happy!!
Time to go make some dinner for Geeps.  I  have been a bit of a slacker in the dinner making department lately.  
See you soon.
XO  Kris

26 comments:

Jill said...

Thank you Kris! :-) Have an amazing night! :-)

Blessings,
Jill

Debbiedoos said...

You have the best quotes Kris!

Lauri said...

I feel the same way when I get my hair done. when I leave home I think I look ok but when I have to stare at myself in the mirror I swear I'm looking at someone else.

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

You do have a creative mind. I am floored with the curtain rod, I am kicking myself that I purchased one when all the while I could have made it. LOVE your curtains!!!
We have teh same taste in magazines too. And that pot rack! To know it has been in the family and you are keeping all those memories alive.

Anonymous said...

Wow, you have been very busy. I love what you did with the curtain rod, very creative. I like that pot rack too. I wonder if I can find one like that in an antique store. I love the magazines you have in your house, fun. :)

Bethany said...

Wow, I want to visit your house! You leave stocked with fresh fruit and eggs :)

Unknown said...

What fun. Look at all those mags. Great collection. I am so glad you have finally seen the light and traveled over to the other side of Pinterest. Do say I didn't tell you so...te-he.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

You've sure been in a creative mode, Kris! The curtains and pot rack turned out wonderfully!

Debbie Kay said...

Kris,

I just love reading your blog, it's like you are standing right in front of me tellin the story.....love that about you!

The orb looks awesome, fresh paint=happiness. Love those curtains too, you are a sewing goddess!!

Smiles,

Debbie

Teresa Kasner said...

Hi Kris.. loved reading your blog today.. I do love magazines too.. but I'm only getting 2 now.. wait.. 3.. Country Living, Coastal Living and Sunset. We're about ready to give up Sunset as it's gotten soooo trendy and we can't even recognize the ingredients in their recipes any more! LOL! Wish I could smell your Jasmine!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Sunny Simple Life said...

I am the same way with magazines. I once read not to read traditional women's magazines as they make you depressed. I agree. Especially as we age. Who wants to see 17 yr old models. Oh how I would love those fresh eggs. I will have to work on Dean some more.

Holly said...

I need you to come out here and throw me some of that energy! I have had several lazy days in a row. I know how you feel about the woman in the mirror at the hair place, she looks terrible!! Washed out and tired. What's with those places? I have a lot on my plate today, I plan to go nowhere and just force myself to deep clean and organize today. It's been too long.

Petunia Pill said...

A one-legged butt kicker? OMG, that is tooooo funny! I'm remembering that one! What a fun post this was! I love that egg dish of yours! And your Jasmine...oh, how I miss the smells of spring in Cali! We had many orange trees on our property and the heady fragrance of those blossoms were nothing short of heaven. Mind you, I took it VERY MUCH for granted when I lived with it year in and year out. We had a night blooming jasmine on the side of our house that used to deliver fragrance to our entire end of the block. My neighbor a couple of doors away used to call me and ask if that was my bush she was smelling. Yes, there was a naughty connotation to that question...oh the jokes about that! While I love four seasons, I really do find myself affected by all the grey nothingness of winter...I so miss the colors and the fragrances! Sending hugs...Annette

~Niki~ said...

We've been seriously considering chickens, getting them, etc. I have so many questions about them and wonder about the upkeep and time it takes. I think for now we will wait, maybe till fall. dunno. i always enjoy all th elovely pics you post :)

Debbie said...

Good morning Kris! I am always so amazed at your energy and productiveness! WOW....such a busy gal. I know how you feel about those trips to the hair salon. I sit there looking in the mirror at this OLD woman in shock, thinking the whole time, "Who is she?" haha...and the magazines? Nope, no interest there either...a little shut eye is perfect while I wait, haha Have a good day Kris. Oh, looks like your getting soo many good eggs, how nice!

Kerri said...

Your pot rack looks GREAT and I love your blue dish holder thingy too. Where's the picture of your new do'??

Nicolle said...

I am a magazine junkie too. I love them! I just ordered a couple new subscriptions. Your house looks great, you always have such pretty things to show on here. Love your curtain rod, and your pot rack! Those eggs are so pretty. Have a great day friend.

Cheryl said...

Oh boy, I feel the exact way when I get my hair cut....who is that old gal looking back at me. Funny thing, since Pinterest I haven't bought a single magazine either. So many wonderful things in your post!!! The curtains, so pretty and thanks for the tip on the curtain rod. Love the redone pot rack, and your pillow is perfect...I could go on and on.....again wonderful post. Our Jasmine isn't quite ready to pop,

Dawn said...

Loved hearing about you week (mid-week) happenings. Great outdoor photos. Wish I could smell the Jasmine, it doesn't grow in my part of the country. Great score on the dish strainer and great re use of it. Pretty eggs:)

podso said...

I see what you mean; our posts would go well together!

Pam said...

I only get food magazines... I find fashion & gossip magazines just aren't my thing anymore. Love the pillow & the saying on it - so great! Your cat is BEAUTIFUL!!!

From the Kitchen said...

Oh dear! I just saw a magazine that I need. When Women Cook. How have I missed that. I was just out looking for draper rods. What a great idea!

In answer to your question, my husband is a clinical pharmacist who bakes hence The Baker!! His scientific mind lends itself well to baking and I'm happy about it!

We are awaiting our first major snow of the season. It's about time.

Best,
Bonnie

NanaNor's said...

Hi there, I'm back and so glad because I've missed all my blogging buddies. I had my hair colored before we left and unfortunately my gal was in a crisis mode with her daughter and overdid the streaks-I almost went back because the highlights were more than I wanted but figured it is a current style right now and it will grow out. Thanks for your sweet comments. Sounds like you've been busy! Have a great evening.
Hugs, Noeren

DaCraftyLady said...

UR Welcome...and I too love to get my hair done...today was a busy day for me with getting a new door put in the back bedroom to allow the college student that will be staying with us a way to come in and out on his own. :) So I had to rearrange plants and clean up a little. :) Have a great evening...

Janna said...

I'm not a fashion mag girl either if you can believe it!! I play around online and create my own looks, but I don't follow the trends too much either. BH&G,Sunset and Southern Living are the ones we subscribe to. Your reading material shows in your personality and your welcoming, inviting home.

Unknown said...

Great post! I too enjoy the same magazines you do...I hate reading the stuff at the beauty parlor! Your new drapes and rod turned out so pretty...love that fabric...I am always about letting in the light...perfect. I a due for some in my dining room.

OMGosh it's snowing again! Ugh!