A Few More Pictures...

My Dress!

This is what my wedding dress originally looked like before we started working on it.


This picture is of the dress completely finished. My mom and I had so much fun transforming the dress into what I had always dreamed of.

Where to begin....

In the last few months since I last wrote many things have happened. I will try my best to bring my blog up to date. We finally made it to the wedding and of course it was the happiest day of my life. It was beautiful and in my eyes perfect...even though we had to make a few changes due to the weather...the forecast said it was supposed to be low to mid 60s with a possibility of pop up showers and high winds. (It was an outdoor wedding) Luckily we had arranged a head of time for a tent, and that day we decided to put sides on it. We were really fortunate because there wasn't any pop up showers, the sun shining and there wasn't a lot of wind. I don't have our pictures yet but I will definitely post some.



After the wedding and our honeymoon we were able to work on the apartment (we took a break for a bit to work on wedding projects). We have water now...Cold and Hot! There is also heat! Recently we have been working on a built in, it will give us a lot of storage. Its hard to explain the design but when its finished I will post a picture.



My family, my husband and I have been on quite a roller coaster this past year. One of our really good friends has been sick and in and out of the hospital. He has past away recently....so its been really hard dealing with that. But we are all just trying to get back into things. That's all I can really say for now.



Now that things have slowed down a bit I am going to try and update my blog more often.

Weekend Treasures!

First of all I am sorry how long its been since the last post...this is such a busy time of year.

This past weekend a friend, my mom and I had quite thee adventure. We went antiquing at a few places and then a craft show. I found a few things at one of the antique stores. The little apple scrub brush holder, the curtains with the rooster on them with all the bright colors and the little hankie trimmed in green. On the ride home, we had seen what we thought were little dogs on the side of the road. As we came closer we realized that they were actually two little piglets. We decided to turn around because we thought we knew where they might belong but by the time we had done that and I got out of the vehicle they had split. On the sides of the road the grass was soaring. There was a little path where the grass was laying down that led to a swampy wooded area. I didn't dare step into the tall grass because of what might be hiding in it. So I got back into the car and we were off....until we seen a sign for an estate sale. I had never been to an estate sale before, but I have wanted too. That's where I found the book of kitchen hints, the red strawberry towel, the tin tray and the chair. (I wish I would of taken "before" and "after" shots of the chair and tray.) All I did to the tray is paint the middle with chalk board paint and then add a magnet to the back so I could stick it to my fridge for a message board. The chair was another story. It was really grubby, you could tell that it had been in the basement for a long time. The legs were covered in rust and the seat was dirty and cracked. I was so eager to work on the chair I forgot to take pictures. The original color of the chair was yellow. The first thing I did was spray paint the legs with a metallic paint. Then I had Chris take it apart so I could spray paint the metal seat part. I decided red would work best with the fabric I had for the seat. Then I covered over the back rest with the buffalo checked fabric. I had to put new padding on the seat. Then I did the same as the back rest. Everything at the sale was 50% off so I only paid $2.50 for the chair. The fabric, spray paint and padding were all around the house!

Summer Bliss....

The simple delights of summer...


All through the winter I dream of the day when I can hang my collection of tablecloths on the line. Today was that day! It may seem silly but its peaceful the way the breeze sweeps through and takes them for a ride.

I was finally able to make curtains for my kitchen window, I couldn't wait to hang them up. That was another dream of mine, to open my window and let them sway in the breeze ( quite like hanging tablecloths on the line).

I love reading a good book in the summer, especially on a quilt in the shade. Or taking a drive in the country with the windows down. Packing a picnic and going on an adventure. Taking walks and listening to the songs the birds sing. Spending the day at the beach. Going barefoot and the grass tickling your toes. These are a few of the things that make summer so blissful. Ya gotta love the Simple Life.

Apartment!

The apartment has been primed and painted and the flooring put in. We started moving furniture out there, so its looking like a home! My mom and dad gave us one of their denim couches, and I had some other furniture that we moved in. Now our focus is on the kitchen. I'm so excited to finally be able to decorate.

I keep a stash of fabric that I pick up here and there. My rule is that if there is fabric that I just love I buy it and put it away. Then when I have a project I need fabric for, I have a stash of fabric I love! I have been waiting so long to make these pillows. The floral fabric on the pillow in the middle was something I picked up from our local variety store. They get bolt ends of really nice fabric, so I love shopping for fabric there. The red and white checked pillow, I used two napkins. The other floral pillow I made from a vintage feed sack. I found the feed sack at one of our antique store escapades. It was only $5 dollars! These three pillows are covers for feather pillows that I already had.



This little pillow cover I really didn't make. I had bought a Moda tablecloth and they come in these little pouches. So I thought I would use the pouch for a pillow!

The rain has stopped but its still dreadfully dreary out....oh well we needed the rain it was really dry out. Its spring break so Chris and I are pretty busy, we are both working quite a bit. Caitlin and I babysit today. In between the rain showers we were able to take the babies for a bike ride. They loved it and even fell asleep!

Its a little belated but I wanted to thank everyone who posted a comment on Rednesday! I enjoyed reading all of them.

Rednesday!

These are a few of my favorite things! My vintage suitcase my grandmother gave me, a vintage tablecloth with red cherries, strawberries and flowers from one of our many ebay hunts! Last but not least, a red bow on my little snuggie, Gandy! He loves to get dressed up!

I am gradually getting back into work on the neighbors farm. Last year I didn't start till May, so I'm getting a head start this year. I hope that this summers weather is warmer then last. It was rather chilly and I have to say I didn't get as good of a tan as I usually do! lol. Yesterday I worked for the afternoon, since mornings are still cool. Before work I had seen how to make pierogies on the Martha Stewart Show. We had some left over mashed potatoes from the night before so I decided to make potato pierogies. Here's the recipe from http://www.marthastewart.com/.

Potato Pierogies

Makes about 60.

Dough
Ingredients


1 large egg
2 tablespoons of sour cream
1 cup milk
1 cup water
4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)


Directions
In a medium bowl, whisk egg. Add sour cream, and whisk until smooth. Add milk and 1 cup water, and whisk until combined. Slowly add about 3 cups flour, and stir with a wooden spoon to combine (I added about 4 1/2 cups). Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface and work in about 1 cup flour (I used 1/2 cup) as you knead. Use a plastic scraper to lift dough as it will stick to the counter before flour is worked in. Continue kneading for 8 to 10 minutes, working in another 1/2 cup flour. The dough should be elastic in texture and no longer sticky. Be careful not to add too much flour, as this will toughen dough. Place dough in a lightly floured bowl and cover with plastic wrap and let rest while you prepare filling.


Filling
Mashed Potatoes
I used about 2 cups leftover homemade mashed potatoes.
Or
Place about 10 medium potatoes (peeled and quartered) in a large pot, and cover with cold water. Add salt. Place over high heat, and bring to a boil. Cook until fork-tender. Drain and Drain and mash with a potato masher. Add 4 tablespoons melted butter.
Add 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese ( I didn't have any cheddar cheese so I used parmesan cheese). Add 4 ounces cream cheese, mix till combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Place a large pot of salted water over high heat, and bring to a boil Lay a clean linen towel on your counter, and evenly distribute cornmeal on it to prevent sticking.
On a floured surface, roll out dough to about 1/8 inch thick. using a glass or cookie cutter measuring 2 1/2 inches in diameter, cut out as many circles as possible. Gather dough scraps together, rolling them out again, and continue cutting. Place tilling into the center of each dough circle. Fold dough over filling, and pinch the edges, forming a well-sealed crescent. Transfer to linen towel. Continue this process.
Place pierogies in boiling water in batches. They will sink to the bottom of the pot, when they rise let cook for about a minute more. Meanwhile, drizzle platter with remaining 8 tablespoon melted butter. Remove pierogies from pot and transfer to platter. Serve immediately.
Since I made these ahead of time. We let them cool down and then for dinner we fried them with butter. They were delicious!

These are a few of the projects I mentioned yesterday that I am currently working on.

Update

I haven't wrote anything in a while. So lets see what have I been up to...

I went back to work today on the neighbors farm. Of course, it had to be quite chilly outside! Luckily I layered up so it wasn't too bad. I also found some time to needle felt. I took a break from needle felting to get a drink when I had walked passed the window and I swore I had seen a cow, so I had to take a second glance and it was for sure a cow. One lone cow eating in the front yard. So mom, Cait and I threw on our boots and coats and ran outside. The cow knew that her jig was up. We all nonchalantly went our separate ways to round her up. She started to run down the road but mom cut her off at the pass. : ) Cait blocked the other way while I chased her back into the field. The gate was open, the neighbor must of left it open.

For the majority of yesterday, my mom and I worked on my wedding dress. Well my mom worked on the dress I just stood there. Its rather complex to explain. All I can say is that it looks very different from when we started. I wish I could put pictures up but we don't want anyone to have any preconceived notions. Its a surprise!

Other then that I have just been working on little projects here and there.

Decisions Decisions...

Last Wednesday my mom, sister and I went shopping for some ideas for paint colors. I had an idea of the color I wanted but wasn't sure the exact shade. There are way more shades then I anticipated. We had a few chuckles about the paint names, where and who do they come from? We bought a few samples and when we got home we tried them out with a few things that I have. After deciding which of the sample colors we liked we noticed another shade that may work better...hahaha. So we have narrowed it down to a few. I tried to take some more pictures with my camera but it didn't truly capture the colors.

Our New Home Is Coming Along

Here is an update on our largest project...The Apartment. I haven't really talked about the apartment yet. Chris and I are getting married in September and then we are moving into the apartment together. There is going to be a living, kitchen/dining area and a sleeping loft. The drywall is all up, now its the mudding and sanding. I don't mind the mudding but sanding isn't my favorite. Its harder then you would think. But we are on the second round of sanding so hopefully only one more round! Then its time to prime and paint!

Hats off to the WASPs

Today I seen an article on the front page of the newspaper about the Woman Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs). After noticing the article I was invigorated to learn more on the subject.

The WASPs were a select group of female pilots. They were the first women in history to learn and fly American military aircraft. The motivation behind the WASPs was to free the male pilots for combat by sending the female pilots on non-combat missions, such as flying the aircraft from factories to military bases. This idea wasn't taken into action until World War II. But these women weren't considered real military pilots, when they died on duty flags weren't draped on their coffins. Yesterday, March 10th, at Capital Hill there was a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony to honor the Woman Airforce Service Pilots.

"This is not a time when women should be patient. We are in a war and we need to fight it with all our ability and every weapon possible. WOMEN PILOTS, in this particular case, are a weapon waiting to be used."
Eleanor Roosevelt, 1942

Honor the women of our history. Visit WASP on the WEB.

Yesterdays Find.

Yesterday, Chris and I found this old vintage sink. We are going to use it in our apartment. It looks a bit rough, but it still needs a good cleaning and some elbow grease. After I clean it up, we'll see the shape its in and then decide whether it needs to be re-finished or if we'll leave it with its vintage charm!

Getting Started.

I've been inspired by so many of the creative blogs I've read. So I've decided to give it a whirl.
Today I've been working on creating my page. Its been swell looking at all the free blog designs.