~Keeping Slipcovers in place & Yard Sale Finds

coconut oil granola & boxwood update

A little bit of pink and Etsy shop SALE!

This post is brought to you by the color pink.  :)  Even though I love blue, I like to have just a little bit of pink sprinkled here and there throughout my house. I think a little goes a long way, though.  So, last year, I found this old shadow box in my house that I picked up at hobby lobby years ago.  I mixed up my favorite pink shade with craft paints, painted it, and then distressed it with sandpaper.

I got out some old scrapbook paper that I picked up at a really cool antique shop, and sketched a vintage cruiser with a basket full of peonies and daisies.  It looks cute up on top of my piano!  Along with my yard sale peonies, it adds just another little *pop* of pink.  I sure wish I would have bought the other peony arrangement at that yard sale...(they had two).  I debated, and then decided just to buy the one.

Anyway, this year, I loved it so much that I decided to create another one for my etsy shop...Right now, it's on sale for $14.99.  Lately, I've been selling a lot of my art on ebay!  Like this birds nest painting...

I have a few other pieces on sale in my shop also.

In other news, I tried out a recipe that I had pinned from pinterest for Mongolian Beef.  It was a big hit with my teenage boys!  Here is the Recipe if you would like it.

Have a great day!
Robyn

Meet Matilda~ My cow painting

This is her big debut!  Matilda the cow.  When I went up one weekend this winter to study painting with my friend in Boston, I told her I really wanted to paint a cow, and I wanted her to teach me how to paint more quickly. After the original sketch, I began painting in my typical meticulous way.  After what seemed like only a few seconds, she said, "Move on! Paint a different part!"  She had me flying all over the canvas, and all I could think was, "This is going to be a disaster.  It won't even look like a cow!"...

headbands for school

a surprise in the wildflowers

Ice CREAM sign

I've been making signs again!  It's so fun to dream up new ideas.  This latest was inspired by these vintage ice cream cups...

You've probably seen them in my etsy shop.  I just love the cream color with the vintage red font and scalloped trim!

Cape May, New Jersey

Mom's easy crock pot pasta sauce with garden tomatoes

Free Lemonade!

What do you get when you mix an old 5"x7" frame, chalk, a piece of black card stock paper and a little imagination?  A free decoration for your home!  Here is a little tip...Chalkboard paint is great, but if you don't have any and you want to do a quick project that mimics a chalkboard, draw with chalk on black card stock or construction paper.  The same idea works to make labels on baskets like the one on my basket full o'produce.  You could write or draw anything!

I sat behind Mitt Romney's

older brother Scott in church on Sunday in Michigan!  Too funny.  We were there on vacation visiting family last weekend.


During one of the church meetings they were talking about journals/family history and asked if anyone had any stories to share. Scott Romney said that no one else knew this (including his deceased mother), but that when they were kids, Scott threw a dart and it stuck in Mitt's head. Mitt went to tell on him, but before he could get to his mom, Scott pulled it out.  Mitt ran to tell his mom, Scott said he didn't do it, and Mitt's mom told Mitt not to lie. :)

Okay, now on to my RASPBERRIES!  

Yep,

My “New” Wellies & Healthy Weight Loss Plan

How was your Father’s Day?  Ours was nice.   I hope my husband and father enjoyed their special day.  We went to church and the speakers spoke so beautifully about their fathers, fathers in general, and the Father of us all.  It was simply beautiful.  I wish you could have been there!  I love going to church each Sunday.  I learn so much, and feel my spirit nourished greatly. 

Which is good, because I made my husband's favorite dessert...Carmelitas.  It was his mother's "secret recipe".  They are chocolate, oatmeal, caramel bars made with lots of butter and sweetened condensed milk.    I'm sure that you have had some version of them.  I was so proud of myself.  I only ate a little, and I had no desire for more.

I had been feeling like I wasn't in control of my eating habits.  A handful of chocolate chips here, a half a bag of tortilla chips there.  The calories were catching up with me, and I  noticed my clothes were a bit snug.  I was exercising, but not really consistently, and not enough to keep up with my mouthfuls of naughty foods.  So, I decided to delve into my scarsdale diet plan.  I have been successful on it in the past, but about a week into the two week program, this time I felt starved and discouraged.  I wanted to eat what I wanted to eat.

Then my friend reminded me that she had modified the scarsdale diet to be more in line with the Word of Wisdom.  A plan that our church teaches so that we can reach optimum health.  It was revelation from the Lord.  And guess what?  It works!  Of course the Lord knows what He is talking about.  I switched to whole wheat bread ( a good kind fresh from the bakery), and I have been eating unlimited fruits and veggies, and watching portion sizes of lean meats and cheese.  I still run (sometimes half run, half walk!) 2 miles a day.  I have been feeling the pounds slipping away~my clothes are not nearly as tight.  Honestly I was a bit bloated and uncomfortable as I switched over to eating more high fiber foods (probably didn't do it as gradually as I should have)  But, now I am reaping the rewards.  I don't crave the sugars and fats.  I hope I can keep this lifestyle up.  I also don't deprive myself (see carmelita note above) , but I am in control.

What else helped?  I prayed for help.  God wants us to be healthy and feel good about ourselves.  It works. I will share the plan with you in my next post.

So, aren't my wellies cute?  Such a funny name, that I love to say.  I have been striking out at the thrift store~which is okay because I don't really need much.  But, I did find these wellies for $9.99!  My other ones were falling apart because I wear them so much around the yard and garden.

Hope you are enjoying your summer!

Sweet, Salty, and Spicy Watermelon Refresher & Winning Recipes

I'm drooling over these award winning recipes from Southern Living's 2012 summer side dish contest!  My favorites were all given 5 stars.  Here they are in are in no particular order...

1. Sweet, Salty, and Spicy Watermelon Refresher

Recipe here

A study in pink

Last year, we celebrated with a party.  It's that time again, and this year we celebrate with a painting!  My New Original Peony Painting debuting  in my Etsy shop!   Happy Monday~hope you all had a great weekend!

The neighbors wud think id gone crzy

NEW Vintage Ice Cream Party Cups!

Remember these adorable ice cream cups from this post?  We love them, and they are not only perfect for ice cream parties and super cute cupcakes, but to hold trinkets and treats, candy, birthday parties, weddings, and more.  And... guess what?  I found the supplier, bought them out, and just listed them in my etsy shop!  And don't worry if you need a different quantity...I've got it...just let me know what you need, and I can do a custom order!

To purchase, click here.

Have a great week!
-Robyn

Outdoor inspiration

Here is a little Monday afternoon inspiration for you!  Did you see this fire pit in House Beautiful magazine?  It puts ours to shame!  Of course, we built ours on a budget.  However, now I am thinking about adding rocks around ours, and some more permanent benches.  Looks like a cozy, relaxing way to spend an evening, doesn't it?

DIY Bouquet for $15.00

Save money~recycled sun dress tutorial

professional family photos