Thrifty Treasures

Hey, it's F R I D A Y!  Thank Goodness It's Friday!  Right?!

I wanted to share a few of my recent Thrifty Treasures.

I have a few local antique/thrift shops that I like to visit.  I've mentioned them before.  I fully believe, enjoy, and appreciate the phrase...One's trash is another's treasure.  I admit to once upon a time being a bit of a snob to second-hand or re-sale, antique/thrift shops and going in them, let alone buying anything from there!  Those shops are even more popular these days and are growing in numbers.    

I have certainly changed my opinion over the past several years.  I'm a frugal gal and I do love a good bargain, as well as saving some money!  It's not that I can't afford new or even more expensive items.  It's just that when it comes to 'thrifting' as I call it, I really enjoy the thrill-of-the-hunt!  And, also this great feeling that comes along with that moment when you don't know you want it, until you see it, and then there 'it' is!  You must have it!  And, add the great price to that perfect must-have item and well, all the better.  You know?!

I can truly say some of the places aren't all that attractive or even well organized.  There are lots of things there that provoke an eye-roll or two, or a shake of the head, and appear to be nothing I would want, let alone pay for!  But there are also places that keep me coming back for a good look around, and I know items often come and go rather quickly.  Plus I have decided on not getting an item before then wishing I had, and upon returning it's long gone.  If by chance it is still there, I say it was meant to be! ...meant to be mine! *grins*       

I've said this quite often, but there's the added benefit of being able to change and re-new an item to make it more to your liking, or as I like to say "re-loving it."  A fresh coat of paint is often a great way to give something new life, a whole new look and transform it.  Just take a look around Pinterest and you'll see lots of inspiration for painting a whole host of items, from furniture to many different home decor items.  Thrift shops are a perfect place to find many of these items, as well as other unexpected goodies.  Plus there's also another advantage if you're someone like me who enjoys changing my decor and making seasonal changes, too.  There are lots of great deals to be had my friends ...you just have to look for them.

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Today I'm sharing some recent finds.

The first Thrifty Treasure is this lovely clock from one of my favorite antique/thrift shops.  It caught my eye from across the room and had me moving in quickly for a closer look.  I barely had my hands on it and had already decided I wanted it!  It was in excellent condition, fit my style, and I knew exactly where I'd place it in my home.

I was loving the gold and the detail of the pattern, as well as the magnolia on the face.  I was also drawn to the words on there, Edinburgh Clock Works Co, London England.  I have been to, and also lived in England, so it reminded me of those years I spent there.

But, wait a minute, "Does this even work?" I asked myself.  Luckily the nice lady/salesclerk provided me the use of two batteries to give it a try, and soon I happily heard tick-tock, tick-tock.  "Sold!"  I said.  

Later, after getting the clock home and hanging it on the wall, I noticed the hands had become stuck together as they were crossing one another.*sad-face*  Simply taking the backing off of the clock and with just a little separating of the minute-hand, Hubby had it passing the hour-hand as it should.  Yay!...my HERO!

I'm pretty pleased with my old, yet new-to-me clock, it looks like it truly belongs here, just like I knew it would.  It's just perfect!  I had to wonder if it actually had come from England, and where it might have been before it came home with me?  And, if perhaps it could, I wonder the stories it might tell?!

No matter where it originally came from, I am very happy it's here, and now mine.  The great news is, the clock had a very reasonable price of ten dollars on it, and while making the purchase I was told it was discounted at half-off (I wondered later if they knew the hands were sticking?).  Hmm, only a five-r? ...even better, and unexpected!  Perhaps someone thought it didn't work? ...but. with a just little attention and a simple fix, it was humming along just fine.

I am quite pleased with this thrifty treasure.  An unexpected must have that cost me merely a few dollars.  Gotta love it! ...and that I sure do!
       

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Then there's this Thrifty Treasure.  I fell in love with this beautiful pitcher and matching bowl!  Isn't it lovely?!  I've been wanting, and looking for a ceramic pitcher for some time now.  There have been a few I've come across that have been a bit over priced.  And, I just hadn't seen one that I felt was a must have ...til this one!

I just couldn't pass it up, or the matching bowl to go with it.  Finding a 'set' made it all the better and well worth the wait.  Plus, it was a descent price at just under fifteen bucks for the set.  Another thrifty treasure!  I'm thinking this will also be beautiful used as a vase for flowers!  This is a great example of what I'm talking about, with the thrill-of-the-hunt.

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I also spotted this pair of shutters.  I've actually been looking for shutters for a couple of ideas I've had for using them as a display.  The shutters had a twelve dollar price on them, but, "they rang up as eight" said the nice cashier.*grins, and eyebrow raises*  Even better, once again!  

My thought was, I would give these a fresh look with some white spray paint.  But ...I'm kind of liking the tone, and the chippy-paint-ness for now.  Especially after I leaned it up against my wall.    

So, at the moment I'm using the shutters as the back-drop for a plant, and stand.  Until further ideas and plans change its destiny! *wink*

You may have already seen this photo from a recent post about my 'Summer' decor.  You can just see on the right where I have placed the clock up on the wall, and also the shutters, in this photo.

My Thrifty Treasures on display!

There will be more to see very soon, I'm sure.  Tomorrow being Saturday, I have an itch to do some treasure hunting ...thrifting!*wink*

More Thrifty Treasures to come!...

'Deviled' Egg Salad

Do you like eggs?  I love eggs!  I've always loved them.  As an adult I grew to love eggs all the more once I began cooking.  Eggs are just so versatile, and it's great that they can be a breakfast, lunch and dinner food.  And, there are so many ways to prepare them.  I have many favorites since I do love 'em, even plain ole scrambled or boiled eggs.  I mean those are just so easy!  And. if you're looking for a good source of protein, they provide about 6 grams per egg, and vitamins, and omega 3's, too  I prefer the Egg-lands Best Eggs, because they are 'the best' if you ask me, so I think they are worth paying a little extra for them.

I have a favorite recipe that I like to prepare often for my lunch, using eggs.  My 'Deviled' Egg Salad, it's delicious and so easy, it barely even calls for a recipe.  Using boiled eggs and a few other ingredients.  It's so simple to prepare and quickly comes together in only minutes.  Which is perfect for summer.  But it's good anytime, and even for dinner if you fancy that!

I like it best on a fresh, soft honey-wheat bread, it makes for a tasty sandwich.  But, it's also good on crackers, I've found myself out of bread before and then it was ...Ritz to the rescue!  Plan 'B' leads to new discoveries sometimes!  Don't you find that to be true, too?  Watching your carbs?...my 'Deviled' Egg Salad works well for lettuce wraps.  I've put it on leaf lettuce before, and enjoyed that as well!  And, I've even had it on avocado halves.    

For my 'Deviled' Egg Salad, I use boiled eggs that I smash *technical term* real well using a fork.  This just works so well for me and I really like the consistency.  I don't like big pieces of egg-white so I just keep pressing the fork tines/prongs through the egg until it is all about the same size pieces.  To me, the egg-white and the yolk blend better this way.  My ingredients are similar to deviled eggs (if you have ever made those), I use mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, and it has to be Dijon-mustard! 

Although I found a new mustard recently that I really, really like.  Emeril's Kicked Up Horseradish-All Natural Mustard.  I added it to my egg salad, and 'bam!' it made it all the better.  Let me tell ya it kicked-up the flavor for sure!

If that's not your thing, I know some folks don't like spicy, or horseradish either.  If you don't even like the Dijon mustard, regular yellow mustard will do just fine if you prefer that.  I myself just prefer a spicy brown or Dijon mustard over regular yellow mustard most all of the time.  Plus, you could get away with not using any mustard in the egg salad, it's an ingredient I have always used in mine!  

I tend to do a two to one ratio with the mayo and mustard, two parts mayo, one part mustard.   I also tend to eyeball the ingredients a lot of the time.  Typically when making this it is just for me, so I'll use two large boiled eggs, two teaspoons mayo, one teaspoon mustard, and one teaspoon or more of sweet relish, salt & pepper.  It's just that easy!  

After getting everything all mixed-up well, a little taste test tells me I've got it right, if not a bit more of this, or that, will.

By this point I'm just about ready to enjoy myself a sandwich.  A' Deviled' Egg Salad sandwich!

There is often just enough left-over to make another half-sandwich, if I'm really hungry! ;)

'Deviled' Egg Salad

(per each two eggs used)
Ingredients:

2 large eggs, boiled, finely chopped/diced
2 teaspoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1 to 2 teaspoons sweet pickle relish
salt & pepper to taste


Directions:

Combine first four ingredients in a bowl and mix well.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  To serve, spread, on bread between slices for a sandwich, or crackers, or lettuce leaves.
Egg salad is best when chilled in refrigerator before serving.
Can be made ahead and used later, or the next day.

Enjoy!...

Monday Message

~ My Monday Message ~

When our loved ones and those whom we care about are ill, not feeling well, or hurting we want them to feel better.  Being supportive, caring and loving while they are unwell is often all that we can do, and it can feel like it's not enough.

It can make all the difference knowing we are in someone's thoughts or that they are especially "thinking of you" while on the mend and in need of a little extra love, care, prayers and well wishes.  It may seem like a little thing, but it might just be a big thing to that person in need. 

An extra special "Get Well" wish to my Mother-in-law today.  

My prayers are with you for your good health and wellness. 

I hope my well wishes help you and make you feel better.

Much love to you!  

A touch of Summer Decor

Ahh glorious SUMMER!  I hope you are having a great summer!  During this time of year I tend do less changing when it comes to my home decorating.  That's because I want to be enjoying the summer, the great weather and doing other things.  Like, being outdoors or sometimes just lazying about when able to do so.  Mostly trying to keep it simple, easy to clean and fresh.  Just a few changes and little touches to go from Spring to Summer are good enough for me, and I am happy with that.    

I love lots of bright light flooding in during the Summer!  I had curtains up at these windows long ago, but I prefer their clean un-cluttered, un-covered look these days.  This is our breakfast/kitchen area, lots of light fills this room early in the day.

My display shelf up on the wall got a 'Summer' theme (I shared more about that in a another post recently).  I have fun with it and enjoy decorating, and re-decorating it.  That is the reason I wanted to have it, and I am so glad I do.

A bright and beautiful Summer's day spills in through the windows and brightens up my whole day!  I did do a bit of changing and rearranging of my baker's rack.  I always like to dress it up with different things and some of my favorite items.  I like calming and natural tones of sand, along with cream, white and earthy greens.  I usually have a splash of gold or bronze added somewhere.  A muted soft monochromatic look feels to me like an easy summer day.  

Sea shells are a fun and inexpensive way to add a 'summer' touch to your home decor.  I filled two of my apothecary jars with a variety of shells, and sat some of my other shells around on the shelves.  

I picked up a good sized bag of shells at the craft store last year for about five dollars.  If you live near the beach you probably have some shells you may have collected.   It's so easy to put them on display.  I especially like using glass jars for shells, and some of my smaller shells I simply sat on top of a larger shell.  

This pretty golden shell, I picked up at hobby lobby recently, makes a great holder for some of the shells too.  Summer is in full swing and I am loving every minute of it!

Soaking up the Summer!...

Lantern Love - Decorating ideas using a Lantern(s)

Have you noticed the many different types of decorative lanterns available these days?  A lantern is one of those items I would definitely recommend anyone add to their home decor.  They work well in every room, anytime, and anywhere.  And, by changing the look of them they can be used in many different ways to decorate your home.  Growing in popularity, they can be found easily at home stores, craft stores, home improvement stores, and more.  And, I think they make a great gift idea.

I wanted to share this lovely lantern I recently purchased.  It was a "love at first sight" moment when I saw it at the craft store.  The half-off price was a happy surprise as I took a closer look, and I decided it was well worth the discount price, rather than the original cost of forty-five dollars.  It was definitely coming home with me! {Score!}

I convinced myself it was in fact a must-have and a most justifiable purchase.  A gift to myself and a beautiful addition to my home.  My lantern has a bit of weight to it, it's metal, about sixteen inches tall and seven inches wide, painted off-white and what looks like a light dry-brushing of gold paint.  And for me, the scroll embellishment just made it all the better.

This lantern is the perfect color for me and my home's decor.  And, I really like that it's also perfect to use all throughout the year, that I can change the look of it, and use it different ways to decorate my home.  I have several ideas in mind for that...

Close-up of the detail.

I can easily see this lantern on display every season.  It's beautiful as is using it with a plain candle, or it could be dressed-up with colored candles, maybe just a simple colored ribbon tied on top or added embellishment.   It can also be changed by adding different items to the inside.  Flowers in the spring or summer.  For fall, pumpkins and fall colored leaves.  And, in the winter some evergreens or holly with berries would look nice, and there are lots of holiday ideas I have in mind.  I'm going to really enjoy this lantern, and dressing it up!

I like that there are more choices today for what type of candle light to use.  Now that there are so many types of flame-less/battery operated candles available, I don't have to use a candle with a real flame or have the worry of that if I prefer not to. 

As I mentioned, a lantern is one of those items I would recommend adding to a home's decor, it works well in any room and with the added ability to change its appearance, whether it's a gift for yourself or someone else, it's the gift that keeps on giving.

... ... ...

Here are few idea examples I found for changing the look of a lantern

source

This is great for Fall 

source

This is so pretty for Christmas

source

This says "Summer"

... ... ...  

I enjoy adding pieces that I love to my home, especially if they have a timeless feel about them.  And, being able to change the look or using it in different ways to decorate my home, is always a plus.

Happy decorating!...

    

'Summer' themed shelf

I've been at it again ...that little display shelf of mine is fun to re-decorate!  I hadn't shared my recent change with a 'Summer' theme.  I added a few things, took away some, and changed the look once again.  I stepped back and as I looked at it I said "I think I have succeeded!  If that doesn't say "Summer" I don't know what more would say it any better!"

It's SUMMER and I even spelled it out for you!  I added other items that say Summer to me.  An American flag candle, because it is July after all, and in celebration of summer's big July 4th holiday.  Sea shells always remind me of the beach in the summer.  Butterflies decorate the summer days as they flutter around showing off their beautiful colors.  Flowers and plants are in abundance during the summer, and nature's at it's best.  Birds, doesn't it seem like they sing even prettier in the summertime?  And, summer just wouldn't be complete without hummingbirds, I so enjoy watching beautiful hummingbirds as they visit my garden, and my flowers.

This little hummingbird was a pleasant find many years ago, I keep it nestled in a plant and I can see it all year!  Especially in the winter when I am missing the ones that often visit me in the summer.

Sweet summertime!...

This-Good-Thing - (Dark Chocolate) Almonds

I've tried it, I like it!  So, I am sharing This-Good-Thing with you!

I enjoy it when I find something that I like and that I think is a good thing, so when I do I want to share it with others!...

The snack cravings kick-in and then I am on the hunt for something satisfying.  I like to stick to smart choices, good-for-me choices, whenever I can.  This is one of those.  Dark Chocolate Almonds.  Hello!...You had me at dark chocolate!  With my love for all things chocolate, this is all too perfect, especially if I'm looking for something "healthy" and good tasting too!  The lack of guilt is a welcome feeling, unless I can't stop eating them!  But seriously, theses yummy, tasty, dark chocolate almonds are truly a delicious and satisfying snack.  I say they are "Smart Eating!"

I like a snack I can feel good about, especially when I'm trying to watch my diet, and what I eat.  I love all types of nuts and enjoy the fact that they are a good-for-you food.  Nuts are packed with heart-healthy fats, protein, vitamins and minerals.  Some are more healthy than others, but most pack a power house of nutrients for you.  

The Blue Diamond Natural Oven Roasted Almonds - dark chocolate flavor, are a new tasty-treat favorite of mine!  They're roasted almonds coated with sweetened cocoa powder ...Yum!  These almonds are sweetened with sugar and stevia, are 160 calories per one once serving, 13 grams-fat (only 1 gram-saturated fat), provide a good source of dietary fiber and potassium, a low sodium content at 35 mg, with only 4 grams-sugars, and 5 grams of protein per serving.  It's a satisfying snack that fills you up with fewer calories, and that can help with weight management too.  Just don't eat them by the handfuls, of course!  I suggest giving these almonds a try because they not only taste delicious, they are good for you too!

I received these awesome coupons from the good folks at Blue Diamond Almonds.

I've always enjoyed the taste of almonds, now I enjoy them all the more since they are covered in cocoa powder!  And, I enjoy having money saving coupons for something I really like.  That's even better!

Note: as a comparison, Emerald brand-Cocoa Roast Almonds, have 10 fewer calories per ounce, only one gram of sugar and are sweetened with sucralose.

I found this interesting link at health.com, it gives a good look at the The Best and Worst Nuts for your Health. 

I hope you'll enjoy This-Good-Thing!...

Thoughts and Things - This week ... Food, Fun & Fireworks on the 4th

Hey everyone, I hope you had a great weekend!  July certainly arrived this week, and with that came all the celebrations of the 'Fourth of July' holiday over the first weekend.  I enjoy all the 'glory' surrounding Independence Day.  It's always nice to see so many American-flags waving high and proud everywhere.  It's a beautiful sight!  Hurray for our red, white and blue!  And, for those who protect our freedom and help to keep our nation secure, to whom I am most grateful.   

There was quite a bit of rain on Saturday morning, but the forecast gave us clearing skies for late afternoon and the evening.  We (hubby and I) had a nice cook-out at home just the two of us here, along with our favorite golden retriever Aeon of course.  We chose to stay home and view fireworks from our neighbors, that proved very entertaining.  Our lawn-chairs perched atop our driveway we were able to see and hear fireworks from a few different locations nearby.  Some adult-beverages kept us refreshed out there in our lawn-chairs and also had me humorously saying to hubs that we were "drinking and driveway-ing."  It was kind of funny at the time!  I sure do amuse myself sometimes ... and hubby too apparently, since he found it pretty funny also!

*** 

Hubs was the grand grill master so while he prepared the Big Green Egg outside, I did some other prep for our meal, inside.

I did a simple table setting with a little 'Fourth of July" theme ...just a touch to make it a bit more festive.

A little prep before grilling our steak dinner.  My Stuffed Jalapenos.  Oh and can't forget the wine!

The Stuffed Jalapenos Peppers were cooked on the grill first and we enjoyed them as our appetizer before enjoying the rest of the meal, Grilled Steaks, Sauteed Mushrooms, and Skillet Potatoes along with a nice bottle of wine.  Our dinner was delicious, and those steaks were absolute perfection, cooked and seasoned just right!

Here are links to my Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers and Skillet Potatoes recipes if you are interested. ;)  They're a couple of our family favorites!   

***

After dinner we moved outside for the fireworks.

A neighbor put on a great fireworks display at the cul-de-sac near our house.  It was nice to stay home and still have a show of fireworks.   All from the comfort of home!  Below are a few photos of the fireworks that I captured with my camera phone.  

    

We had food, we had fun, and we had fireworks!

  

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 Here is a little something extra special:

"Between the fireworks and other festivities, it might have been easy to miss a video posted to YouTube on July 2nd of a patriotically moving rendition of "Amazing Grace" performed by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and celebrated violinist Jenny Oaks Baker."

Enjoy!

Source: myfoxatlanta.com

Truly Amazing...

~ Happy Independence Day ~

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

***  Happy Birthday AMERICA  ***

Enjoy the created fireworks below!
-Turn down the lights, turn up the volume, and view full screen-

Genul meu de artificii :)
Posted by DoZa De Haş on Sunday, December 28, 2014

I hope you have a spectacular day with your family and friends!...