SUMMER SNACKS TO MAKE FOR THE KIDDIES!

 Welcome! Most children are on summer break and they will be asking for snacks lol. I have been making these handy snacks for years. I make a bunch and put in the refrigerator  this way the children can have a snack  quickly.

I just buy a large pack of Styrofoam cups from Walmart.  This snack idea is very flexible, the base for the pudding snacks start with honey graham crackers. You can use chocolate , vanilla or banana cream puddings as you see I'm using the banana cream. I had some bananas to use up so I just cut them up put a bit of lemon juice so they won't turn brown added them tothe pudding and graham crackers and there you have it. I also have a can of real whipped cream for topping. 

The other day I did chocolate pudding and graham crackers with cream on top. Today it's orange jello and strawberry jello. If you have fruit on hand you can toss it in with the jello.

I place an oblong cake pan in the fridge this holds all the cups nicely. Also I buy boxes of fold top baggies to put on each cup to keep fresh. 

Trust me  the snack cups are a great idea! You can also fill with fresh fruit, you can buy 3 different kinds of salty snack such as cheezits, mini pretzels and maybe potato sticks mix them up fill the cups and they will enjoy that as well. 

Keep them happy and give it a try! The options are endless. I've even filled the cups with cherrios and raisins  then when they are ready for their snack just add milk.

With just a bit of prep work you can make the kiddies happy and save yourself some time as well.

                          Happy Summer!

                               Lisa

A LICK OF PAINT FOR AN OLD FAVORITE!

 Welcome! I bet you have an old piece of wood furniture that is still in good structure shape but looking worn and tired? Am I right? The piece i have has been used several different ways but she will be the kitchen island this time. She's wearing a tired boring white. Time for a lick of color!

Just a simple chalk paint that I picked up at Hobby Lobby

Wanted to stick with a green that would flow with my inspiration fabric. I purchased this new fabric at Goodwill  for about 5$ and it was enough to sew curtains for furniture and windows. 

 

So don't throw that much loved wooden furniture to the curb or out to the garage or cellar  , give it that well deserved lick of paint and love it again!

                          Happy painting!

                                 Lisa

THEY ALL SAID DONT PAINT IT, ISAID HOGWASH!

 Welcome! Nice of you to stop by.  Many of you  will say : oh no! Why would you go and paint a cherry wood piece of furniture? We'll I was given it in December right before Christmas.  It is a huge coffee table it has 2 big drawers that can accommodate  remotes etc  it has 2 large couches around it along with 2 recliners.  But I just couldn't get past that dark wood.

So against everyone's advice I  gave it a lick of paint.  The first thing  I used was Stainkilz . I thought about all the use this  table will get.  Then I finished it off with Rustoliums painters choice. I left some darkness to  peek through. Love the legs!

So it's whatever you like! Don't like it paint it. I'm lovng her as I refer to furniture as a her or him .  She' fits so well with the farmhouse country cottage  theme and is ready for all the use we can give her.

                          Thankyou for stopping in!

                                      Lisa

GARDENING IN FLOWER CONTAINERS IS SO FUN!

 Welcome! If you don't have a sprawling piece of land to garden no worries! Or maybe you live somewhere where weather can threaten your plants. Sometimes it's just better to be able to carry your plants on inside. 

Just 3 weeks ago planted basil seeds , now look at it today.

So green and healthy! I can even start pinching leaves for  cooking. Just a pot with some garden soil , proper drainage and some 🌞.  The seeds were about 1.75

Herbs are so wonderful! I love to cook and be able to pick fresh herbs  when needed and at a fraction of the cost of buying.

I will grow  vegetables and sunflowers from seeds that I will share soon.  But I couldn't resist flat of petunias I bought to fill a flower box.

5 gallon  buckets are ideal for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, onions and almost any vegetable or flower. Be sure to drill holes for drainage or add some rocks to the bottom.

Also an important detail is to be sure not to make the pots too heavy that you will never be able to move them if need be. 

And that's it !  Just plant and let the sun and water do the rest.

                         Happy Gardening!

                                    Lisa

IF I KNEW YOU WERE COMING ID A BAKED A CAKE...

 Good day and welcome! You know that song? If I knew you were coming Ida baked a cake! This is a delicious crumb cake recipe, super easy and ready in no time at all.  This can be hand mixed no need to break out the mixer.  And please don't mind my stained "cookbook it's definitely over used. 

Sorry it's sideways. Be sure to follow this recipe . The only thing I added to the crumb topping on reserve is a couple top. Of cinnamon 

When the cake is slightly cooled I add a vanilla glaze simply I melt about 1/4 stick of butter  add about a cup of powdered sugar , a top of vanilla and half n half or milk just enough to make a light frosting. Drizzle over the entire cake.  Enjoy! Fast easy and yummy!

                       Happy baking

                              Lisa

WREATH ON THE DOOR....

 Welcome! Everyone is welcoming spring with open arms! Seems like winter put on a great show everywhere.  A colorful wreath is a great way to welcome guests into your home and also the Spring season. 

Wreaths go back as far as ancient civilization.  They have many meanings.  A wreath we would hang today symbolizes renewal of the season as well as a " big hug" , in welcoming guests to your home.

For me it just puts the finishing touch on a door, window or wall.  I know i know I just get carried away.  After harvesting my grapes I cut back the vines and get busy making wreaths to decorate. 

So I gathered some florals and leaves and created a colorful spring wreath.  Decorating a wreath is not as hard as it may seem. First pick your color scheme.  Flowers can be bought very inexpensive  at Dollar Tree.  Walmart  as well carries an array of colorful faux flowers. 

Just lay them out which ever way looks best to you. There's no right or wrong way in my opinion. It's all about what you like!  I conjured  up a  burlap nest and added some eggs.

                   Thankyou for stopping by!

                     Happy decorating 

                              Lisa

SPRING EARTHY TONE KITCHEN REFRESH

 Welcome! Nice of you to stop by! Holidays have come to an end for now anyway. Goodbye red and white checks loved it for the holidays. But now I've introduced some greens and dark shades that connect with nature.  A few new items such as a beautiful piece of fabric found at the thrift with a lovely print of leaves and hues of green. Also Better Homes And Gardens tea towels also with green hues. And last a pretty bouquet of babies breath that I paired up with an old piece of architecture.   I was able to sew some pretty curtains for windows  and cabinetry.   It was a fun makeover and good for the sole

Just shopping my house i found everything I needed to complete my look. I started by painting this shutter then adding a wreath a thrited old picture and greenery filled  metal .

Just love this little bouquet of baby's breath Just  under 3$ a Walmart find.

My favorite cabinet Just simply added an old screen that I attached a bouquet of greenery. The Apple dishes are Honig very old loving the green tone they supply. 

Whats nature without some feathered friends these 2 heavy birds where a hobby lobby find long ago.

My great grams Deviled eggs dish paired up with a lettuce vintage dish.

Don't mind my vintage breadboard it is over used but one good feature is the small drawers they work great for ripening avacodos that i use to make guacamole  my families favorite.

Fresh parsley, love it being handy to add to my recipes

Metal vessels filled with florals

A vintage mirror coat hanger decorated for Valentines day

Loving the pops of wallpaper

A very used butcher  block island decorated with a vintage watering can filled with apple blossoms

2 chickens hangout in the iron basket that hangs over the butcher block island

Kitchen window at dusk with a bit of valentine love and some vintage dishes and of course some string lights

Thankyou for stopping on in

                     Happy decorating! 

                             Lisa