Autumn Bliss

It seems like everyone is sharing photos of their fall decorating ~ so I thought I would join in with a few of our home.  Enjoy!

Goodwill Goodie Makeover Monday

Can it really be Monday again and the final week of September?  Time seems to slip by faster every year.  I want to send out a big welcome to all my new followers!  Thanks again Janene for spotlighting my blog ~ the number of hits has been amazing.  Be sure to share my blog with all your friends!

For this week's goodie makeover I have decided on a lazy susan that I actually picked up at Salvation Army.  I purchased it for $1.99 and did think about leaving it as is.  However, I think it would look better with a coat of black paint and some distressing ~ maybe a second color as well.

Here's the before photo (and before I cleaned it) ~

Hopefully the weather and the kids' schedules cooperate this week.  It has been so rainy and humid here that it makes it difficult for that paint to dry!  DS and DD will keep me running this week with cheerleading clinc, dance class, soccer, AWANA, and a cheerleading performance.  They are only in 5th grade and 2nd grade ~ I can only imagine what it will be like once they hit junior high and high school!

Be sure to visit again on Finish Friday to see the end product!

Goodwill Goodie Finish Friday

TGIF!  It's been a busy, rainy week here in the midwest.  Perfect weather for beef stew and homemade rolls.  DS and DD are ready to camp out in their fuzzies (that's what they call their blanket sleepers) all weekend.  I think I will spend Saturday browsing through my Country Sampler magazines and preparing the lesson for Sunday School.  My DH and I are in our 5th year of teaching the middle school class at our church.  Some of our former students will be graduating from high school this year ~ not sure where the time has went.  It has been great to see how they have grown in their faith and we look forward to what the Lord has in store for their futures.

With all the humidity this week it was a challenge to finish this makeover ~ the paint didn't want to dry.  Yesterday I was finally able to put the finishing touches on the shelf. 

Remember what my $1.99 shelf looked like before ~

Here it is now ~

Here's how I have it displayed ~

A full length shot ~

So much better than those bears!  It really pops against the paneling and the mini quilts were the perfect size.  The longaberger crock was a Goodwill find as well ~ $.50.  The game board, mini quilts, and basket were purchased at a "going out of business sale" of a local business a few years ago ~ $10 for all.  The pip berry picks were 50% off at ALCO ~ $3.00 each.  The Uncle Sams and Americana balls were purchased 50% at Hobby Lobby ~ $8 for all.  The child's rocking chair was given to us by a family at church that was moving.  The shelf was all I needed to tie it all together and it cost $1.99.

I have a few goodies in mind for next week ~ something for the kitchen, perhaps.  Check back on Monday to see what I have picked!

Thrifty Thursday

Makeover Mondays and Finish Fridays ~ how about I add Thrifty Thursdays!

I have had great luck this week and wanted to start sharing my finds with you.  Every week I will try and show some of the great treasures that I have found.  No ~ I do not go thrifting every week, but over the years I have found many, many treasures that I think you will enjoy.

Let's start with this week's discoveries.  My DH is currently "coaching" at the dealership an hour north of our home.  This gives me the opportunity to explore new thrifting territory when we have lunch together (which we try to accomplish once a week).  Yesterday, we had a lunch date!  It was a good hour spent together ~ we were able to catch up with each other and with what has been happening with the kids.  He's been putting in long hours and time usually runs out at night before we are able to discuss all the events of the day.

After an enjoyable lunch and returning him back to work, I headed to the Krysilis store that is next door to the dealership.  Look what I snagged ~

The small Americana basket was $.25, the strainer was $.50, the bunny, Uncle Sam, and packages of "S" hooks were $.75 each, the long wood tray was $.90, and the NEW candles were $1.50 each.  Double find with the candles ~ they smell sooo good and I love those containers!  The tray and the "S" hooks may be in store for makeovers.  I may try to turn the strainer into a shoo-fly cover.  The Krysilis store may become a weekly stop!

Goodwill Goodie Makeover Monday

It's Monday again and time for another goodie makeover!  This week I'm attempting to prim up a peg shelf ~ not loving those bears. 

This shelf will be hung in our basement family room which will have an Americana theme year round.  I'm still trying to decide what color to use on this project ~ maybe a cream on black this time.

Later this week, I plan to post some photos of my prim goodie finds.  Check back on Finish Friday to see the shelf transformation!

Goodwill Goodie Finish Friday

I didn't think I was going to get to this post today.  We are having DD's family birthday party tomorrow and I had to make a grocery trip to town today.  As always, it took longer than expected ~ perhaps it's because I hit the Goodwill store while I was there :)  I found some great goodies that I will share in a later post!  Upon returning home, the lawn was crying out to be mowed.  So 4 hours later, I am finally sitting down at the computer.

I finished up my goodie makeover and it turned out better than I had hoped!  I decided to do a double color ~ black and mustard ~ and try stain for the first time.  The staining was easier than I thought it would be and really ages the piece nicely.  I had to do some hunting for the long-handled matches, but did eventually find 2 boxes.  I may try some stain on the matches as well ~ I think they look too new.

Here's the finish ~

Here's how I have it displayed next to the fireplace ~

Loving how it turned out and fits in!  Check back on Monday to see what goodie is up next for it's makeover!

Happy 8th Birthday Toots!

8 years ago I was in the recovery room ~ our family of 3 had just grown by 2 little feet.  It's hard to believe how fast time has gone by.  That precious 8 lb. 4 oz. bundle is now in 2nd grade and growing up too fast for the likes of Mom and Dad.  God has blessed us with a spunky, strong-willed, energetic, intelligent, compassionate daughter who loves Jesus and loves to dance, sing, and nurture her baby dolls.  I often find myself with a lump in my throat when I think of how fast she is growing up ~ sometimes I wish she was still that newborn wrapped in my arms.  Then I see her snuggled up in bed and am glad that she's growing up healthy and strong. 

I am so very lucky to be mommy to a daughter of the King of Kings.  He sent His princess to us and we are preparing her for the great plans He has in store for her.  These 8 years have flown by and I know that all too soon she will be ready to leave the nest.  With the strong foundation of faith we are helping her build, when she finds her wings she will soar!

Happy 8th Birthday Toots!  We love you too much!