They Light up my Life!

I just don’t understand it. Every where I go I seem to find a lamp that I simply cannot live without and that is absolutely perfect. I guess the good Lord thinks I need more light in my life or something.

First there was this - - a cute little oldie but goodie. And the colors perfectly match the “chicken” table that sits inside the front door. It’s very cute and is a nice nightlight too when just the bottom part is lit. (Isn't the shade nice - I bet I know someone who would love to have it! *snicker snicker*)

Here’s the lamp I could NOT live without and rode between my knees from LA to Seattle A treasure found at a local Salvation Army in San Diego that I have to have. I gotta admit – it looks great in the shabby chic living room.

Then there’s this - - -a must have from a local Goodwill. Imagine . . this lamp is pretty good size . .all hand painted and not a chip on her! I simply had to have this treasure to put on the table in front of the window. It’s especially nice when lit and the colors were perfect.

Okay and how could I resist this? With all of the teapots and blue and white dishes I just had to have this one too. It’s simply perfect!

I wonder what other lamps are in my future! If nothing else, there is certainly plenty of light in my house!

Picture Perfect!

Fixing up “our” new old house has really been fun! We’re not all done yet and I’m sure it will continue to be a work in progress. It has been so fun to paint and fix up and watch it progress. It really is turning out cute and full of personality!

The fun has been in checking out all of the local haunts (our word for thrift stores) for old discarded items that we needed to put finishing touches on our new home. Most of the paint we acquired thru mis-mixed sections at Freddies. It’s just amazing what you can find if you take the time to look and how much money can be saved.

We found . .well lamps of course . . LOL . . .and wallpaper border, rugs, furniture and of course assorted bric-a-brac. One day while browsing thru Value Village, Nineandahalf and I happened upon the perfect picture for above our sofa. I was delighted until I saw the price tax - - - - $49.99. It was big and perfect but that was a lot of money on our moving budget and for a picture at a thrift store . . .and so I put it back.

The picture gnawed at me . . and I even dreamed about it. So, 4 days later back we trod determined to have the picture at any price. I raced back to where the pictures are . . . and sadly it was not there. I was soooo disappointed.

The following Sunday we were once again there to find something for our new place. Nineandahalf dropped me at the door as it was pouring down rain and so to kill a few minutes I went to look at the pictures. There in the corner . . almost completely covered by other things I could see the corner of “the picture”. I couldn’t believe it . . . .I couldn’t wait to show Nineandahalf when he came in . . .but once again . . .I decided it was just a little too much money . .. BUT I did overhear one of the workers say that the following Thursday all of the green tagged items would be half price. And, guess what? THE PICTURE WAS A GREEN TAGGED ITEM!

Four more short days and the picture would be only $25.00. Okay I would take the gamble and be sure that Nineandahalf was there at the sound of the key turning in the lock as they opened the doors. I waited on pins and needles . . .but of course he didn’t disappoint me and was there on time and managed to bring home the much longed for picture. It is indeed perfect in our new home, don’t ya think?

Criss Cross Applesauce!

Not much gives me a great sense of personal satisfaction than canning! I haven’t canned in quite awhile and was surprised and pleased that Feffie called and wanted me to teach her and help her can some homemade applesauce.

She managed to score a great deal on apples! That’s one thing I can say about her . . .if you want to know where the best price or deal oh anything is . . Just ask her!

I lugged over my old canner and supplies and off to her house on Sunday I went. We peeled, and smashed, and seasoned (cinnamon and nutmeg), and cooked, and smashe some more until the applesauce was cooked just right! Filled the jars and canned away. We managed to make 21 quarts and 7 pints of applesauce . . and then on to make 7 qts of apple pie filling.

It was fun to work together in the kitchen and what a sense of accomplishment – just to see all the jars lined up . . and knowing the family would have applesauce for several months.

Superman said that he could take it or leave it and wondered what would be done with all of that applesauce! Feffie opened the first jar to have with her meatloaf dinner. She had figured that a quart jar would probably last her family for 2 meals. Well . .the good news is that apparently it was a huge hit . . . Superman ate 3 bowls full as did Hallie and Nathan. They practically licked the jar clean! Nathan wanted Mommie to open another one! So it passed the family taste test with flying colors! (Feffie called this morning to see about getting more apples so we can make more! At this rate, they will empty all the jars and we can fill them up again without having to buy new ones!)

After that I helped her get started on some homemade chicken soup with some left over chicken she had. And when I left to go home, there was Superman in the kitchen with the pink Kitchen Aide tackling the machine to make some homemade noodles for the soup! I wonder if they will have applesauce with the soup!

Now I have the canning bug . .The jars look so nice in my kitchen all lined up on my new pantry shelving. I can’t wait to make some marmalade, strawberry preservers, tomatoes and salsa . . my list is getting longer!