Posted by, Paulette
We've gone to Utah for the past two summers and stayed in a hotel for a week. When I return home, I think that it was amazing that a family of seven can live with so little. We've left most of our toys, food, books, clothes, etc at home and are still able to live comfortably.
The things that I was missing the most were those little touches of beauty. On the second day there, my wonderful husband and two daughters stepped out and brought home some flowers from the Walmart across the street. They came home with two bouquets of flowers! I stuck them in glasses of water and then we went to Provo Deseret Industries for some pretty containers to put them in. The Provo DI trip has become a tradition on our vacations to Utah.
The kids each got to pick out something. And I brought home a vintage stoneware creamer, a milk glass bud vase and a flower market bucket.
Seeing these touches of beauty, and being able to cook delicious meals for my family every night made me a happy momma. We lived in a very small space, and didn't have all the things that we'd left at home.
Look at these kids! They were happy.
I am happy to be back in my own home. And I love my stuff.
But it is nice to know that we can live on less. I am blessed that we don't have to.
Posted by, Paulette
I have a new friend and we are like two peas from the same pod. We love the same things, which is a lot of fun. Unless you go thrifting and covet the stuff in each other's basket. I'm not saying this has happened, but it could!
Last Saturday I spent the day doing what I love most, thrift store shopping and being with my Mom and my newest friend. We hit up 6 Goodwills! Can you believe it? This is some hardcore thrifting. It was half price Saturday, and we were on a mission to find the things on our lists. On my list was a desire to have two lamps to put on each side of my bed. The ones I had were so flimsy that they'd topple over when you turned them on or off.
The first lamp I found was this one:
I loved the lines, but not the color. I had visions of painting it white for a shabby chic look. This baby was only $3.50. And the wiring needed to be fixed and the whole thing tightened up. It was a bit wonky. See that plug? I think it's from the 60's. Gotta love a vintage lamp.
Lamp number two was $6. It's a newer model, and the wiring was fine on it.
It had the same feel as lamp number 1 and looked a bit more masculine.
When I got to the store and started buying the paint and shades, I realized that I would be happier with the contrast between the lighter shade and the dark lamps. So instead of the white paint, I picked up some Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze.
The shades are $10 from Wal-mart. I added the muslin ruffles. It's just a simple strip of fabric that's been torn and then sewn end to end and ruffled up on my sewing machine with a straight stitch with the back thread pulled. Then it's hot glued to the shade. EASY!
See the foot? That's Sophi. She really wanted to be in that picture, baaad!
That's an unphoto-shopped picture. I think I have a model in the making. She loves the camera and the camera loves her.
So, what have you saved from a landfill lately? Any gorgeous redo's?
Posted by, Paulette
This is a family favorite that is requested for birthdays. I haven't adapted it for Gluten Free yet, but someone requested the recipe, so here it is!
Banana Split Cake
Crust:
2 sticks melted butter
3c. graham cracker crumbs
1/2 c. granulated sugar
Combine butter, crumbs and sugar. Press into a 9"x13" pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Filling:
2 sticks softened butter
2c. powdered sugar
1/2 c Egg Beaters
1 tsp vanilla
Whip softened butter, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer for 10 minutes. Spread over cooled crust.
Then layer:
6-8 bananas, peeled and sliced lengthwise
1 16 oz can crushed pineapple, drained
1 large or 2 regular sized cartons whipped topping
3/4 c sliced or slivered almonds
3/4c maraschino cherries
Drizzle with chocolate syrup
Chill for 4 hours or overnight.
If you wan to make a gluten free graham cracker crust, there's a recipe here for that.
