My Finished Pine Country Server - The Final Paint Job

I bought this off of Craigslist a few weeks ago for $100.  It was solid pine and I knew I wanted to paint it.

My color inspiration came from my new living room pillows which were made from these fabrics I purchased at Hobby Lobby -

Photos of the process -

The finished product -

The finished product {I sat a pillow on top so you could see how the colors coordinate}.

Here it is all decorated.  I just love it.  Right when you walk in the front door this is on the left.   I think I am going to put some baskets on the bottom.  To the right is our living room.

When Your Family Leaves You Hanging... {Day 19}

I have typed this, edited it, retyped this, etc... several times for weeks.  I have went back and forth on if I wanted to share it openly, what I wanted to say, and the best way to say it. 

It really stinks when someone who should be one of your go to people has chosen to not have a relationship with you or with anyone in your family.  As much as I don't want to admit that it bothers me, it does.

I guess since I have a relationship with everyone in my family... it is even more confusing to me. 

I have one sister.  She lives all of the way in Las Vegas.  I love her.  I love my niece and nephew.  We have had our ups and downs.  We are super different from one another.  We do not talk every day.  Some days we just exchange text messages.  But I know without a doubt if she was local we would see each other at least once a week.  We'd meet for dinners.  I'd pick her kids up and take them places...and she would do the same.   We would help one another out.  Our husbands would hang out and drink beer and watch college football.  We would be there if one another needed something...anything.  Because in my opinion... that is what families do.

How much of an effort do you make to try to form a friendship with someone who has kind of  made it clear they could care less about you, your husband, and your daughter?  I guess if this person wasn't a relative... I would tell myself NONE... you make no effort. 

But, what if they are a relative? A relative who has made no effort to form any sort of a relationship with you....when you have done nothing wrong.

How far do you go to salvage family relationships before you just throw in the towel?

Day 16 & 17 - Monday Morning Ramblings....

I'm combining days 16 and 17  because I forgot to blog yesterday.... it just slipped my mind.

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*My first meeting for my new job is today at 9:15.  I think I will just have to introduce myself and then it will be a lot of listening... I have to call in from my phone and log in from my computer. 

*After my meeting ends I am taking a nap.  I was up most of the night last night because I didn't feel well and couldn't sleep and I am exhausted.

*I had a repeat customer place an order last night from my baking business.  That makes me super happy.  I am making these little goodies for Madison's school's bake sale... how cute are they?  I made a sample one last week.  It is a split chocolate cupcake layered with butter cream frosting, sprinkles, and a candy pumpkin.

*My mom is flying into town on Friday.  I am letting Maddie stay home from school and we are going to pick her up from the airport.  Then we will do lunch and some shopping.  Saturday we have to go to my cousin's bridal shower in Boston... so that should be fun. 

*Sunday we are taking Maddie to the Melting Pot for her birthday dinner.  She won't be 12 until Tuesday but we wanted to celebrate while my mom was here.  She is currently obsessed with anything French so I ordered these candy molds on Amazon last week.  They should arrive tomorrow.  I am going to make little Eiffel Tower candies to use as toppers for birthday cupcakes.

* I am beginning to think of Christmas card ideas for this year.  I am not sure if I want to order them or if I want to design my own.  I am kind of holding out to see if Shutterfly does that great deal for bloggers again... where if you blog about their Christmas cards you get a free set.  Has anyone heard anything?

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I am linking this post up over at lowercase letters for Miscellany Monday.

  

*This morning once Madison left for school I put this BBQ chicken in the crock pot.  I hope it turns out good. 

Source: justgetoffyourbuttandbake.com via Nichole on Pinterest

Day 15 - The Versatile Blogger

This past week Nikki from Me to Wee Est. 2011 awarded me The Versatile Blogger Award.  Thanks Nikki for thinking of my blog.

The rules for the award:

Thank the person who awarded you. Share 7 things about yourself.  Then share the award with others (listed below).

1. My husband is not Madison's biological father, but he is her true father in ever sense of the word.  They have an amazing relationship with one another.  I know when we have a baby together there will be no distinction between the kids. 

2. I was hired last week for the job I interviewed for.  I am starting out part-time (20 hours a week) and I get to work from home.    The pay isn't great... but there is room for advancement. PLUS I get to be at home and can still put forth effort into my baking business and my Scentsy business.

 

3. I am obsessed with Pinterest.  Obsessed.  I think it is the best thing ever.

 

Source: tabletonic.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

 

4. I love reality TV.  It is pretty much all I watch.

5. I want a baby. 

6. I am working on a new blog name and design.  I have some things I have created myself... but I know nothing about actually making it into a blog header.  Does anyone know of someone affordable to help?

7.  I am a huge procrastinator.

I would like to nominate the following bloggers whose blogs I love.  If you don't follow their blogs, you should check them out.

Kaitlynn at Sew LeeLa

Kara at Happy Go Lucky

Day 13- Christmas Vintage Subway Art Printables

I created these last night for Christmas.  I look to do a seasonal or holiday printable in an 8x10 frame in our living room.  I came up with these two.  They print best as an 8x10.  If you would like one, just leave a comment letting me know which one(s) you want and if your email isn't attached to your comments, leave that as well.  I think the second one is my favorite and the one I am going to order for myself.

Here they are -

Day 11 - And the Winner is...

A big thank you to all of the ladies who entered my Scentsy giveaway.  My first time experiencing Scentsy was when I won a giveaway on Megan's In this Wonderful Life blog.  I ended up signing up to be a consultant under the lady who sponsored the giveaway.

Scentsy has lots of great items for fall and winter.  Here are some of my favorite items -

This is perfect for the winter holidays.  This is the Merry  Berry Premium Full Size Warmer.



This Fright Night Premium Full Size Warmer is perfect for Halloween.

If you purchase one of our fabulous warmers, then you are going to need some great scents to burn.

My current favorites are pumpkin roll and black ruby.

If you entered the giveaway, but didn't win, I am offering FREE SHIPPING from now until Friday October 14th at 10 PM EST if you place an order with a $25.00 minimum in products.  You would have to contact me via email to place your order instead of going through the site in order to get the discount.

Now on to the good stuff...

# 5 - Julie

 Congratulations.  I will be contacting you so we can discuss Scentsy and you can start thinking about how you are going to use your gift certificate.



Day 9- Grocery Budgets, Meal Planning, & Coupons

I dread going to the grocery store each week.  I hate spending so much money.  Back in Virginia we ate out a lot.  Too much.  Since being in Rhode Island and on one income we have really scaled back the eating out.  When we do go out it is usually not something expensive.  However I have been spending a ton at the grocery store.  I have been meal planning and making detailed grocery lists, but I am still spending a ton.  Last week I had 3 coupon fliers and went through them all and cut out one coupon.  There was only one we could use for something we like, will eat, and that was on the meal plan.  I try to grocery shop once a week.  Last week I spent $150 at the grocery store, $16 at BJs, and $12 at the local market. We are a family of 3.   INSANE!!!

I wish we had an extra refrigerator so I could stock up with meat is on sale, but our current freezer is small and I cannot fit too much in it.  I also probably need to be better at shopping sales.

I make breakfast for Chris and Maddie every morning, so that is 7 breakfasts.

They both pack their lunches for work/school so that is 10 lunches.

I eat a lunch at home every day, so that is 5 for me.

Plus snacks to go with lunches and dinners each night.

This is what we did this past week-

Monday- Steak and cheese subs

Tuesday- Greek Style Grilled Chicken Wraps

Wednesday- We went to a new local Mexican place.

Thursday - Spaghetti

Friday- Crock pot Chicken Tacos

Saturday - Madison and I went out of town so we ate out and so did Chris

Sunday - We ordered pizza... thinking they were buy one get one half off, but they weren't.  The good news is Maddie loves taking leftover pizza for lunches during the week.

Here is my plan for next week -

Monday - Grilled Steak & Veggie skewers, baked potatoes, and corn (which I have)

Tuesday- Chicken Enchiladas (using leftover chicken from last week) and Mexican rice

Wednesday- Beef Tacos
Thursday- Chicken Italian sausages, baked beans, and macaroni and cheese before a school event

Friday- Subway $5 foot long subs

I would love to be at about $100 or less total each week on groceries!  I stopped at Trader Joes today when we were in Massachusetts and spent $30, so that gives me $70 for the rest of the week.

I am stunned when I saw this lady's grocery budget.  But I am impressed.

I would love to know the size of your family and the amount you spend each week at the grocery store if you don't mind sharing. 

Day 8 - Paint Chip Art - Canvas Monogram

I made this the other week for Madison's bedroom.  You could even make several letters on one canvas or make several canvases to spell out a word or a full name.

It was super easy to make and I love the way I turned out.

Supplies -

-any size canvas

-paint color of your choice

-paint chips in any color(s) of your choice

-mod podge

-saran wrap

Directions -

-Paint your canvas.  I used spray paint, but any craft paint would work.

-Choose your paint chips and cut them into various sized squares and rectangles.

-Draw the outline of the monogram on your canvas.

-Spread mod podge over the monogram and add the paint chip pieces until the monogram is completely covered.  Some of them should overlap.

-Cover the entire canvas with another layer of mod podge. Then cover it with saran wrap and smooth it over the canvas, this helps you make sure the paint chips are laying flat without getting the mod podge on your hands.  When everything is smooth, remove the saran wrap so the canvas will begin to dry.

-Let dry and then hang.


I swear I had scheduled this to post yesterday, but I guess I didn't.  So Day 8 and Day 9 will post today.

Day 7 - Insta Friday

I am linking up for Insta Friday over at Life Rearranged.

These are the doors I am painting for my latest project.



Here are the knobs I am working on for my latest project.  I cannot wait to share the finished item.



Wednesday night I baked some sugar cookies.  I put some m-n-m's on a few and the others I frosted with homemade butter cream and put Halloween sprinkles on them.

On Thursday I worked on two baking orders - a pan of iced brownies and a pan of 6 layer bars.

Last night Madison brought over dinner to our elderly neighbor.  We usually bring her dinner once or twice a week.  I usually make extras and it makes me feel good to help a neighbor.  I sent over a small salad, garlic bread, pasta with meat sauce, and two 6 layer bars.

Happy Weekend!

Day 6 - Recipe - Greek Style Grilled Chicken Wraps

I love Greek food.  I wanted to do Greek style food at home so this evening I served these -

I filled them with hummus, feta cheese, and tzatziki sauce. 

The grocery store didn't have pocket less pitas (which I prefer) so I picked up these whole wheat wraps.

Last night I marinated two boneless skinless chicken breasts in Greek salad dressing overnight.  Then my husband grilled them this evening and I sliced them up.  I also chopped up a cucumber and some romaine lettuce.

Then once everything was ready I began to assemble the wraps.

My husband doesn't like feta or hummus, so I left those off of this wrap.  The great thing about these is you can set up a station for assembly.  You could also stuff them with olives, tomatoes, onions, or banana peppers - basically anything you have available that you like.

I always assemble my wraps on foil.  It helps make it easier to "wrap" them.  Then I just slice them in half and it helps to keep the fillings from falling out.

Day 4 - A Scentsy Giveaway

I am hoping you think Scentsy is great and that you will want to win this giveaway.... because I am giving away a -

We love Scentsy in our house and it has become a pretty popular thing lately.  If you haven't heard of it I suggest you check out all it has to offer.

One lucky reader of this blog will win a $15 Scentsy gift certificate to be applied to any Scentsy items (not shipping) available on my website during the month of October.  You will have to contact me via email to place your order and it will shipped right to your home.  You will have until midnight October 30, 2011 to contact me with your order.

If you have any questions about Scentsy or would like to become a consultant, send me an email.

If you would like to purchase any Scentsy items, you can do so from my website.

*To enter, simply leave a comment below telling me what you think you may purchase with your gift certificate.  If you are not a follower, it would be great if you became one, if this blog interests you, if not... then that's fine too.  Just make sure your email is tied to your comments so I can contact you if you are the winner.

This giveaway will close on Monday October 10, 2011 at midnight/est.  A random winner will be chosen and revealed on the blog on Tuesday October 11, 2011.

This giveaway is provided by me, Melissa, Independent Scentsy Consultant.

Day 2 - Chocolate Chip Banana Bread RECIPE

Early this afternoon I made this super easy chocolate chip banana bread recipe. I got the recipe from Elizabeth's Love & Marriage blog.

It was really easy to throw together and tasted great..  I will definitely be making it again.

Here is the recipe -

Ingredients -

3 mashed bananas

2 beaten eggs

1 cup of sugar

2 cups of self rising flour {I only had all purpose, so I used that PLUS 1/2 tsp. salt and 2 tsp. baking powder}

1/3 cup of vegetable oil

1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips

*See note below*

Directions -

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees

Mash the bananas in your mixer.

Add the eggs, sugar, then oil.

Add the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Then add the chocolate chips.

Bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

*Once I had mine in the oven I went back to the website I got this recipe on and saw she listed milk in the directions, but not in the ingredients.  I messaged her and she said it did call for 1/4 of milk.  Mine tasted fine without it, but I guess it's optional if you want to add it in.

Day 1 - 31 Days of Blogging... Can I Do It?

I guess the October thing is for bloggers to blog all 31 days of October on the same topic.  Well... I just don't think I can do such a thing... as I like to switch it up.  However, I am going to challenge myself to blog all 31 days of October... or 29.... I hope I can do it.

I never get sick.  Although I have had a cold since Thursday.  On Friday I was happy that Madison's English teacher told me she didn't need me to come in to volunteer.  I literally spent the entire day on the couch.

I woke up feeling a bit better today.  I finally chose the colors I am going to use to paint this Craigslist find I bought for $100.

We also decided to paint an accent wall in our living room and got the paint for that.  I will share the color swatches and of course the finished work in the next few days.

This afternoon Madison and I escaped to run a few errands.  We first went to Barnes & Noble so we could get Starbucks and she could get a book.  Then we walked over to Michaels to pick up a few things and to use a 40% off coupon that was burning a hole in my pocket.  We had a nice afternoon together.

Tonight I made this PF Chang's knock off Mongolian Beef for my husband.  It was good... but it certainly didn't taste just like PF Chang's.

 Tomorrow morning I am making this chocolate chip banana bread. I am hoping to get up early and have it ready for when Chris and Maddie wake up.  Then I need to grocery shop... which I dread every single week.  I am hoping to try a few new Pinterest recipes and of course some things in the crock pot.

I have a Skype interview on Tuesday for a work at home job I submitted my resume for back in late July.  I finally heard from them on  Friday.  My fingers and toes are crossed that I get this job, that I like this job, and that it turns out to be a long term thing.  Because... we want a baby and I want to stay home.  This job would allow me to do that.