~* Mantel *~

There was a part of my home that I've never been crazy about and that was the large boxed area in our living room. It's only function was to hide heater ducts, water pipes, etc (This part of the house is log so when it was remodeled in the 60's this is how everything was run up to the second floor). I think it was downright ugly! Ever since we moved into our home 2 years ago I've been looking for ways to make it more appealing. I decided to go on a search for an old mantel...needless to say what I found didn't work because they were always too wide. So, I told a friend of ours what I was wanting to do and he made this matel for us. I am so happy how it turned out. Here is a bigger view of the living room. This is what you see from the front door. This room isn't that large, but I still would like to do some rearranging of the furniture. We'll see what happens and if I'm happy with the results you'll definitely see pictures! Here is a closeup. The H O M E tealights were my latest find at Big Lots. They were from Hallmark. I paid $4.00 for them. The two taller candle holders were a thrift store find several years ago. I paid 25 cents a piece for them. My dh is a horse man...the horse figure came from Tractor Supply during one of their after Christmas sales. Can't remember the price, but I know it was cheap. Thanks for stopping by!

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Thank you Terri and Bob, Julie (Nunnie's Attic), Oak Wind Farm, Susan, My Heart Is Always Home, Kate, Bren, Heidi, Manuela, Karen, Deb, Lindy, Cherry, Kim K, Kim (Daisy Cottage), Becky, Mikki Jo, Heather, Mrs. U, Sandy and Marilyn for the sweet comments you left about my Gram's cookie cutters, the canisters, and my kitchen! I really appreciate the time you all have taken to look at my pictures and read what I have to say. Thank you again...I wish I could invite you all over for a visit.

~* Kitchen Corners *~

I spent a lot of time in my dear Gram's kitchen...it was a place for holiday meals, baking, quilting, playing games or just talking. I've always wanted a kitchen that reflected my love for my Gram. I've been s-l-o-w-l-y trying to bring homey touches to my kitchen. Here are few pictures of what I've done in the past few days:

The cookie cutters that belonged to my dear Gram are finally hung up!

I have been looking for new canisters. I found these the other day for half price at one of my favorite local stores, Collections by Marty. They are labeled as "For Decorative Use Only" so I am using them to store my other cookie cutters...at least they'll be handy now! They are enamelware...they look like something she would have had.

I still have several things I need to work on; my bulletin board...dh is working on finding a board to use. I did find the chalkboard spray paint though. The other project is using one of the old wooden window frames from our house. I want to get old pictures from my dh's side of the family and old pictures from my side of the family and place them behind the glass. I have the vision for it...just not the time to do it!

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Thank you Wendi, Heidi, Melissa, Cherry, Becky, Terri and Bob, BB, Kelli, Lindy, Abbie, Nunnie, Rhoda, and Manuela for your nice comments about the sign my dd gave to me. She also brought her Dad a golf shirt since he LOVES golfing. Another thing that I thought was sweet is she called me several times a day to let me know what they were doing each day.

~* A New Sign *~

This sign was a gift to me from my 14 y.o. dd. She gave this to me when she returned from Georgia at the begining of August (she went on vacation with a friend and the friend's family). I was really touched because she knew how much I'd been wanting a powder room sign.

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Thank you for all of your sweet comments about the picture of my great-grandma. I loved reading all of your comments on washing clothes. My dear Mom never owned an automatic washer...it was a good ole' wringer washer for her. My dear Dad had wanted to buy her an automatic washer, but she never wanted one. I had never used an automatic washer until my dh and I were first married...that was 17 years ago!

~* Doing Laundry *~

Never again will I complain again about doing laundry when I have all of the modern conveniences that my great grandma didn't have. This is a picture of my Great Grandma Ophelia doing laundry...that's her on the far right hand side. I had a smaller picture that I loved so I decided to scan and enlarge it. This picture now hangs in my laundry room above my sink.

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These are the pictures that I wanted to share with all of you on Friday.

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This really IS the last post I'll be posting until next week.

Take care and thanks for stopping by!

Dear Friends, I am having serious internet problems. I am unable to post any pictures at this time. I had a really neat picture I wanted to post for Kelli's Show and Tell, but I couldn't get it uploaded. I am going away for awhile, too, so I will be unable to blog for the time being...hopefully when I return I will be able to post pictures again!

Lakeside, Ohio, here we come!

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Nan wanted to know if the picture in the header is our home...yes, it is. This is the home my dh grew up in along with his four brothers. The house looks a lot different now.

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I'm glad you all enjoyed looking at my powder room cupboard's "new home". Thank you for all of your comments.

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I'd also like to say Welcome to new friends who've just started visiting me...thank you for stopping by and letting me know you've been here for a visit!

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A special thank you to Heidi who nominated me for the Nice Matters Award...I appreciate your thoughtfulness in nominating me, Heidi!

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~* Powder Room Cupboard *~

My newly painted cupboard is in it's new home -- above our toilet in the powder room.

Here's a closer look...see the little pictures...another one of my thrift store finds. The little bird's nest I found on one of my walks. Isn't it sweet? I stuck it inside a pip berry candle ring. I found these little glass apothecary jars at a yard sale for .25 cents a piece!

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look!

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I appreciate your comments about my Gooseberry Patch cookbook and recipe...it really was yummy!

~* Speedy Suppers *~

One of my favorite things to collect is the Gooseberry Patch cookbooks. I'm not sure what it is that makes me like them so. It could be the yummy recipes, the delightful illustrations or the helpful hints. Actually, it's all three! I recently picked up the Speedy Suppers cookbook. As a busy wife and mom, I'm always on the lookout for easy yummy meals for my family. I wanted to share this recipe found on page 34 in the cookbook.

Super-Easy Chicken and Noodles

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed (I used 2 cans of chicken breast meat to save even more time)

1 T. oil (I used Pampered Chef Garlic Infused Canola Oil, which smells delicious)

10 3/4 oz. can cream of chicken soup

1/2 c. milk

1/8 tsp. pepper

3 c. cooked medium egg noodles

1/3 grated Parmesan cheese

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chicken in oil for 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden. Stir in remaining ingredients; heat through. Makes 4 servings. I added a little parsley for some color. ENJOY!

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Thank you for your kind comments about my newly painted cupboard. I'm hoping that dh will hang it up tonight!