DIY Sconces - from Bookends

I love a good multi-purpose item.  And, I love getting it at a bargain price.  I also love an easy DIY project.  Getting all three of those together, well, I really love that too!

A while back [late last summer], I was shopping at a local antique market along with my oldest daughter when she pointed out a beautiful set of magnolia bookends, saying to me "those look like you Mom!"

I took one look at them and knew I had to have 'em.  All gold and glittery, they were perfect and perfectly priced!  And, I knew I'd find a way to incorporate them into the magnolia theme I had planned for my fireplace mantel at the time.

I bought them for just a few dollars each, then brought them home and it wasn't long before I came up with the great idea of making the bookends into sconces.  I had forgotten all about the project until I came upon the photos of the bookends, so I wanted to share how we transformed them into sconces.

I sold the idea to the hubby, since I asked for his help with the transformation.  He the brawn and I the brain, together we had this little DIY mastered in short order and in just minutes they were up hanging on the wall!

 
A set of picture/mirror hangers were chosen as the hardware for hanging the sconces.  After some precise measuring, a hole was predrilled for the screw that would attach the hanger.  This process was duplicated for the other bookend/sconce also.

We decided on one hanger placed in the center, because 1) these bookend/sconces weren't very heavy and I only intended to sit small candle holders on top of them as sconces.

2) the added hanger would not be in the way if I later chose to use the sconces as bookends once again, or the added hangers could easily be removed. 

And, 3) there was already a single nail/hole in the wall at the spot where I wanted to hang the sconces, where I had previously hung a picture or small mirror, so we didn't want to add more nails/holes to the wall.  If they were heavier in weight two hangers for each would have been more necessary.

The rubber feet that were on the bottom of the bookends, would now be on top, but were not noticeable once up on the wall so I left them on.

If I do use the sconces as bookends again, the feet would still be there.  So, I didn't bother with removing them. 

I was very pleased with the new purpose for my bookends, and they were much more visible on display as sconces up on the wall!  A great re-purpose.  I just loved the results of my great idea and was happy the hubby helped in the project, and also that he went along with it.  Of course it's always good when you get the nod of approval like that! ;)

Now when ever I see a set of bookends, I imagine them in a whole new way!

Happy decorating!...

French Toast - My way

I had a few requests for how I prepare French Toast after sharing a photo recently.  I figured most folks already know how to make French Toast, but, for those who wanted to know how I prepare it, I'm happy to share with them my recipe and how I go about it!  

I enjoy french toast, and often forget how good it is when I haven't had or made it in a while.  I find it's best when I use thick-cut texas toast style bread.  It makes all the difference if you ask me! 

While living in England I learned through friends we met there that they call French toast - "Gypsy toast," and they don't put syrup on it.   What?  I couldn't image not having syrup!  They thought it was yucky that we put syrup on ours.

I must have maple syrup and of course some butter, and a little sprinkle of powdered sugar.   If you've got a hungry-man make him three slices.  Although, one to two are more than enough, especially if there is going to be some bacon, ham, or sausage to go along with your french toast!

I make an egg mixture to dip the bread slices into one at a time, letting them soak up some of the mixture while turning the slices over a couple of times.  I then place each dipped bread slice aside until all slices have been dipped in the egg mixture.

I tend to use more eggs when preparing my french toast as to have plenty of mixture to dip the bread slices into, and because I use thick slices of bread.  I like for the bread slices to get ample amounts of the 'egg mixture' because this is where a lot of the flavor comes from via the added flavors in it. 

I have the perfect non-stick griddle for cooking my french toast.  This covers two of the burners on my stove and works well.  I use a little spray oil on the griddle first, then cook the dipped bread slices over medium heat, turning occasionally until nice and golden brown.  If you want, butter can be used instead of the spray oil, because "what's not to love about that?"...just be sure not to turn the heat up too high!

When ready, I cut each slice on the diagonal, then top with a sprinkle of powdered sugar just before serving.  That's optional of course, I just like adding it for looks and a touch of added sweetness.  Everyone gets to add the amount of butter-or not and syrup that they want, then all are happy.  Mmmm ...French Toast for breakfast!

French Toast 

Ingredients:

6 slices of thick-cut texas toast style bread
5 Eggs
1/2 cup milk, half & half or heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

cooking spray/oil for pan or griddle, or 2 tablespoons of butter

Directions:

In a medium sized bowl add eggs, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla, whisk together until well blended.  Heat large skillet or griddle over medium heat.  Pour egg mixture into a shallow bowl or pie pan wide enough to place in a slice of bread.  Dip each slice into the egg mixture, turn over allowing the bread to soak in some of the mixture.  Place the slice aside on a plate or sheet pan then continue until all slices have been dipped and set aside.  Use spray oil or melt butter on heated skillet/griddle then place dipped slices on to cook until golden brown, then flip and cook other side until golden brown.  Cut each piece on the diagonal, sprinkle with powdered sugar(optional), serve with butter and syrup. 

Enjoy!...

Hurray, for the Red, White, and Blue!!

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Summer is in full swing now, and a big HELLO to July!!

In celebration of the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, I added a touch of patriotic flair to my home.  I recently purchased this lovely table at HomeGoods, and I just love it!  It's perfect for this space and for decorating.  While I have no plans to decorate my whole house in the colors of the flag, I do like adding a few touches in honor of ol' glory and in salute to America.

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I used my chippy-paint shutters [a thrifty-find] as a backdrop for my simple wreath form, which for now is home to my little flag-star hanging from it.  The 'bows' on the lampshades are from Hobby Lobby.  I had to have them, they're so cute!!...[pssst, the lamps are actually just candle sticks with mini-lampshades on them, it's a little decorating trick of mine! ;)].  And, while there I grabbed a bag of several painted grapevine stars, and decided to keep it simple by using only three of them, one each in red, white, and blue.

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A red ribbon & bow, and a pair of flags that I simply tucked into my basket, completes the look.  Little touches that didn't cost me a thing and add to the ease of quick decorating since I had them already!!

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This sweet canvas banner was also from Hobby Lobby, I picked it up just before Memorial Day weekend for my front door.  I brought it back out as a "Welcome to July", also of course for the Fourth of July holiday in celebration of America's Independence and 240th Birthday!!  I may want to leave it up for a while longer than just over the holiday weekend.

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I achieved this look with some items I had on hand, along with a couple of new discounted-purchase items, and only a few moments of my time putting it all together.  That's my kind of decorating, quick, inexpensive, and easy!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!

God Bless the USA!!

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I wish everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July!...

"How do I do it? ...What's my secret?"

I have been asked, time and again, "How do I do it?  What is my secret for making, creating, or doing something, and making it look so easy?"

Well, are you ready for the BIG secret?
...Honestly, there isn't one.
I'm often surprised by the question.  I really don't think I'm any different from anyone else.

And, I will say this... For me, my thought is "it doesn't always have to be perfect!"

Maybe it's just me, but I often feel that if I like "it," then that is what matters.  However, don't get me wrong, of course if I'm making something for someone else, I certainly want them to like it, love it and be happy with it, always!

But generally speaking - when I make something for myself - it's about what "I" like and pleasing "me."  Then, if it also pleases someone else or is to their liking, that's all the better!  I'm always happy to have someone else like what I have done and acknowledge their appreciation of it, and compliment my work.  It's like the icing on the cake.

I often feel that most things that I do or create, are easy, and that's why I share them with others, thinking that if I can do it, so can they!  I enjoy creativity, and I certainly enjoy the gratifying satisfaction that comes with a job well done.  Whether crafting something or in decorating my home, I love the art of it all.  It's something I have always been drawn to.

I've definitely had failures and I have also enjoyed successful outcomes.  I've felt as if a project was approaching being a total disaster but continued with it and then benefited from the final result by loving it.  But, believe me not everything goes as planned, or may not have even had an original plan to begin with.  "Winging it" can have advantages, too.  I am the type of person who will just give it a go, or try it out.   I'll take a chance or dabble at it, and if "something" is not for me, well, just maybe it isn't then.  I can either except that and move on, or I can try, try again.  And, I truly believe having a good attitude, making it fun and enjoying what I am doing, makes all the difference, as well!

Hey, just remember this, "don't sweat the small stuff!!"   Now let's go create something!

A creative mind is always busy!...

Pea Salad - cool, creamy, and delicious

Hey it's summertime and it is hot here!  Whew, we were right around one hundred-degrees over the weekend.  When it's that hot outside, it's nice to be indoors feeling cooler, and that is a great time for easy, cool, and tasty foods, like salads.

This is an easy-peasy Pea Salad [I just had to say that! ;)], it's cool, creamy and delicious.  It requires just a small amount of ingredients, but, it's big on taste.

I have loved peas all of my life, and if you love them too, this Pea Salad might have you loving them in a whole new way!

I have grown quite found of olive oil mayonnaise, so, it is my go-to favorite these days if a recipe calls for mayo, or even for on a sandwich, too!  I used it in this salad for the creamy goodness, along with cheeses, red onion and bacon bits!  Yeah, what's not to love?

Make this salad and place it in the frig to keep a while and then serve later.  But, if you can't wait that long, it's all good.  I mean it's good either way, right after you prepare it or after it's been in the refrigerator to get it good and cold!  You could also add chopped boiled eggs to this salad.  You could even add a little chopped bell pepper for extra crunch or use the pepper in place of the onion (for those who are not onion fans), or perhaps some shredded carrots.  I like to add a little crunch to this salad, so use what ever you like or prefer.

If you are looking for something different, this is it! ...Hey fellow peas lovers ...check this out!

Pea Salad 

Ingredients:

2 pkg (12-16 oz. each) frozen peas, thawed and drained

1/2 cup-1 cup diced mild cheddar cheese

1/2 cup-1 cup diced sharp cheddar cheese

1/4 cup diced red onion

1/2 cup Mayonnaise

cooked bacon, 6 strips crumbled or 1/2 cup bits and pieces

salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

In a medium/large bowl combine all ingredients and mix well.  Refrigerate until serving.

Enjoy!...

      

Thrifty Treasure - Thrift Store re-do item - Metal Letter 'M' -

I had the pleasure of doing a little thrift/antique shopping with my daughter over the past few days, and I have to say "I'm so glad she has inherited my same love of finding thrifty treasures and thrifty items to re-love."  The thrill of the hunt has surely been passed down to her honestly.

We were even competitive with who saw it first, or more so she was perhaps, by trying to stay ahead of me while we were hunting.  We have some similar tastes, so there were things I saw first, and things she saw first, and got the jump-on.  I handed over a cute little "Welcome" sign to her, that I saw first, 'cause I knew she really liked it, too!

One of the items spotted was a large Metal Letter 'M' marked 50% off, and I almost loved everything about it.  That is part of the appeal with thrift/antique shopping for me, if I don't completely love something I am always thinking of how I can make it an item I will love by changing it, usually and most often by using paint!  My wheels were spinning with ideas, so, with it being only six-bucks I decided I would get it and plan to make it something I loved.   

There was a chalk-y green colored top-coat with a metallic-gold color shining through from underneath.  I wasn't overly fond of the look so I got an idea the next day while thinking of transforming it by re-painting it, but, instead of painting it, how about removing the paint or un-painting it?!

Well, that is what I should call it because I decided to use a little bit of acetone nail polish remover on a paper towel and lightly rub off some of the green top coat it had on it.  (The picture above is a view from the back, since I started to remove the paint on the front prior to taking a "before" photo.  The color shown is what the front originally looked like.)

I continued using small amounts of the acetone dabbed onto paper towels.  The more I removed of the top green color the more I liked the look.  The metallic gold showed up much more and as I rubbed off more of the paint I got a bronze tone in some areas, and also with pressing harder in places I got down to the original black.  

The final look was even better than I had imagined, and the "M" now has a lovely color combination of gold, bronze, black, and just a hint of the green, with a sort of patina look to it!  The gold really shines through!

It looks perfect next to my beautiful gold mirror.  It's truly one of those "you have to see it in person" to see the real beauty of it!  By removing some of the paint on part of it, I made it all the better and now it fits in nicely with my decor, and it's something that I really do love!

Antipasto Platter

One of my family's favorite foods that I make, or shall I say "put-together or create" is an Antipasto Platter.  I've been doing it for years, it's a dish I first learned about while dining at an Italian Restaurant, when living in England long ago.  If you have never heard of nor seen one of these, I must tell you about it.  And, also say that "I think you have been missing out on something wonderful and delicious!"

An Antipasto Platter consists of Italian meats and cheeses and they're quite common at most Italian restaurants these days.  A combination of cured meats, cheeses, olives, peppers, etc.   The Antipasto Platter is a dish that we all truly enjoy and love to eat!  I most especially like to serve a large Antipasto Platter for special occasions. 

["Antipasto (plural antipasti) means "before the meal" (from Latin ante, meaning "before", and pastus, meaning "meal, pasture"), and is the traditional first course of a formal Italian meal.  . Traditional antipasto includes cured meats, olives, peperoncini, mushrooms, anchovies, artichoke hearts, various cheeses (such as provolone or mozzarella), pickled meats, and vegetables in oil or vinegar."]

Source - wiki/Antipasto

For my family the main "must-have" is there always has to be some Prosciutto on the platter.  I do like finding different cured meats or Salami to add also, but the proscriutto can easily stand-alone as the only meat and "star" of the show!  Although, prosciutto can definitely be a bit price-y and expensive, but we find it worth the cost.  It's that good, and it's special!

To prepare an Antipasto Platter I simply cut-up or slice some cheeses, roll-up or fold the meats, add olives, peppers, etc, and then arrange on a large plate or platter.  It's just that easy!  I find that most everyone likes and enjoys it, and with a variety of items there is something for everyone.

Serve with some fresh slices of bread, and I also prepare some Olive Oil with added fresh minced Garlic and Herbs-(Basil and Oregano) for dipping the bread into. All of this makes a delicious appetizer and before dinner treat.

Items Used: Meats-Prosciutto, Sopressata, Capocollo. Cheeses-Parmigiano Reggiano, Fresh Mozzarella, Asiago, Black Pepper Bellavitano.  Vegetables/Extras-Kalamata Olives, Pimento Stuffed Green Olives, Pepperoncini Peppers.  

Along with the other items meats, cheeses, olives and peppers, I also like to use marinated artichokes, roasted red bell peppers and/or sun dried tomatoes, too.(these items are usually in a jar and can be found in the same area of the grocery, or on the same aisle.)

And, for the times when it's just the Hubs and I, when we have an Antipasto Platter we can easily make a meal of it served along with some glasses of good wine, and be quite satisfied! 

I hope you'll make an Antipasto Platter for your family and will enjoy it as much as we do.  Buon Appetito!

Thrifty Treasure - Thrift Store re-do item -Floral Arrangement-

I sometimes feel the need to rescue something.  I look at an item that has been discarded and I see the beauty within it.

Some may pass and never give it a second glance, but I will!

This flower arrangement, or what once was, is a prime example of just that!

There's the phrase "one's trash is another's treasure!"

This pitiful thing I discovered at the thrift store looked like trash for sure.  Although, what really got my attention was the container, the pretty bowl that held the mass of ugliness.

I saw in the huge mess that it was, something worth keeping, something that was after all, pretty!  

I figured the bowl was well worth the two-bucks it was priced at, so I grabbed it up with the plan of throwing away the contents and keeping the pretty bowl.

So, with that being the intention, after I brought it home I got busy taking the artificial flowers out one by one, and as I did I noticed there were some flowers that were hidden among the mess.

Flowers that I really like...  

Magnolias!  They're one of my favorite flowers.

There were several of them and they were smashed (literally) in among the other flowers and had been unrecognizable.

I continued removing all of the flowers, gathering those that I wanted to keep and those to trash.
I cleaned up the magnolias and other keepers by giving them a bath, using a little spray of 409, and warm water with the faucet sprayer, over the sink.

After the flowers and such were dry I did a little re-shaping and forming, then re-planted them (so to speak) in the pretty bowl.

My thrifty treasure had now taken on a totally new look!

Now, just look at how pretty it is.

My "rescue" turned out to be more than I had expected and even prettier too!

An unexpected and thrifty treasure.  A real "trash-to-treasure!"

Sometimes things aren't always what they seem.

Dig a little deeper and take a closer look, there just may be more there than meets the eye!

I urge you to take a second look at what someone considers to be trash and find the treasure that may be found instead, like I did.

Get creative with what you find!

Here's a photo of how the floral arrangement looked over the holidays and after I tucked in a few things to give it some extra sparkle, and to glam it up!  I had said I would share more about the floral arrangement when I posted the photo of it back then, but I had forgotten all about that until I came across the photos of how badly it looked when I first brought it home, and before I gave it a re-do.

What a difference my giving it a little love made!     

I really do like my unexpected and thrifty treasure!...

June in Bloom!

I don't know why, but, I'm feeling a bit surprised that it's June already!  I am enjoying that it's still "Spring" for a couple more weeks yet.  And, with it being one of my favorite seasons, I do always want it to last a bit longer!  I believe I could be happy with it being Spring year round!

Our patio area plants have been blooming nicely since early Spring.  I'm glad I had chosen some no-fuss plants and flowers for this area.  Almost all of these plant beauties seen here, have returned/regrown this year.  Even the purple Petunias in the hanging baskets!  I was so excited when I noticed their sprouts a couple of weeks ago.  I was planning on having to re-buy and re-plant more of them this year!  Gotta love the south!

The other plants are true perennials, The Royal Candles plants in the large pots (left and right), were added last year, and of course I love their flower color (purple) along with them being no-fuss.

The Hostas just in front of those pots are a favorite, these were divided from other plants nearby. The hostas are just such an easy plant, and I love their look.  Plus they'll also have blooms later on as tall spikes with flowers.

The Liriope -lily turf or monkey grass (center) is an attractive evergreen and another of my favorites.   They're nice filler plants that add texture, a deep green color, and the flower spikes that emerge later in the summer add more purple color too.  There is also a variegated variety, I have several of both.  They look nice in pots and planters as well!     

I transplanted the Clematis vine last year, and it has taken off this year.  I'm happy to see it is spreading out onto the trellis I have provided for it, and has started to bloom it's beautiful purple flowers.  I thought I had killed the poor plant after I had removed it from another area of the yard and potted it for a short while.  Thankfully, by the looks of it, I think it has forgiven me now!

Off in the distance to the right and sitting in the rock area, is a large pot of Vinca with violet-purple colored flowers, and a long planter full of lavender Irises, which are another transplant that I haven't yet decided where to put more permanently.  A bit of sand in the yard helps to level low spots, as well as fill-in patch-y areas of the Bermuda grass.

I'm no expert gardener, and have-not a green thumb, but, I have learned about a few plants through trail and error, what I like, and what works for me.  And, as I mentioned I like no-fuss, the easy doesn't require much attention, or time, types of plants, that also please me visually!

I may add some pretty annuals to the area soon.  I'll be looking forward to more growth and changes as time goes by!  For now, I'm enjoying June in Bloom!

Have a great weekend!...