Why I've Been A.W.O.L

I posted earlier about how life can get in the way . . .

Well this man,

my Daddy, Gene,  has been suffering the debilitating effects of Parkinsons disease.

He was a WWII veteran and he passed away this past Veterans Day, November 11, 2011 at the "young" age of 88. I have been caring for him for the last year and one half, and was with him until the end. I will miss all the doctor visits I drove him to because during those times, we were able to talk about his life, my life and remember the old times.

My favorite memory, is from when he drove me to college (a four hour road trip). Since most of the trip was in deep east Texas, radio was hard to come by, and the only 8 track tape I was allowed to play  (yep, I'm that old) was by Bobby Vinton. I still smile when I hear "Blue on Blue, Heartache on Heartache".

Image from: famous1.all.co.uk

I always knew he would choose a special day to meet God, and he did. We will further honor him, by having his burial on Pearl Harbor Day. Goodbye Daddy. I will miss you and your smile. You were a wonderful Father and grandfather to my children!

Your loving daughter,

Mora Clocks . . . Yummy

I am seeing them in my dreams . . .but then it turns to a nightmare when I discover the cost!

Must have one . . .
Need to find a way to make one . . .
Tic-toc-tic-toc . . .reverberates in my brain . . .

(image source)

(source)

stay tuned . . .I'm getting a vision . . .

The Ultimate DIY

First let me say, I know, I know . . .but the IS re-decorating on a larger scale (and by "Scale" you will catch my drift . . .)

do you look/feel like this?  (I know I do)

 . . .trying to look more like this . . .(again, I know I am!)

remember her . . .

 

she used this, I'm trying it too . . .

 

So I made these, and boy were they YUMMY!

Here is the recipe . . .

Salmon Cakes (my substitutions)

Ingredients

1 egg (or 1/4 c. egg white substitute)

8 oz of salmon meat (leftover from the night before)

Oatbran 1.5 tbsp

Old Bay Seasoning 1 tsp

Onion 1 tbsp (pre-chopped, frozen onion, celery, bell pepper mix)

Salt & Pepper to taste

 

Instructions

1.  Beat the egg, oats and add it to salmon meat.

2.  Add onions, old bay seasoning, salt and pepper to the mix.

3.  Spray the non stick cooking spray (No calorie Pam

works for me) and heat the pan in a medium hot fire.

4.  Make four small patties and lay them on the pan.

5.  Fry one side until golden brown, flip

6.  Cover the pan with a lid.

7.  Salmon cakes take about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

Enjoy and Do It for Yourself

Linking up to:

Amaze Me Monday @ Dittle Dattle

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Motivate Me Monday @  Keeping it Simple
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogie Board Cottage

Treasure Hunting at My First Estate Sale

Went on a whim to an estate sale around the corner from my house.  Didn't even have my wallet. Just ran by after patching my father back together . . .barely wearing shorts and flip-flops . . .I must have looked a SIGHT!

Came home with these . . .for $2.00 total (Sterling Silver Paul Revere Bowls)

Came home with this painted tin box for $2.00

But best of all was this . . . 5 qt. (that's A LOT of sauerkraut) crock!

Called Marshall Pottery in Marshall, TX and spoke with one of their master potters . . .he said that it dated to prior to 1945, because back then, it was Marshall Pottery Co. and in 1945, the became Marshall Pottery INC.

Snagged that puppy for $15.00 and the potter said it it could fetch $120.00 EASILY! It is in perfect condition, no flea chips, crazing or cracks . . .and to think . . . it was an afterthought, last minute, what-the-he-double hockey stick purchase. Now it is a wonderful place to house the dog toys for Truffles.

Happy shopping!

DIY Don't

It's HOT in TEXAS ! ! !

Last  week all afternoon temps were 100+, with a GINORMOUS wind!

What Happens this week?  You guessed it, the AC died,

 temps are shown below, and not a stinkin' breeze to be found!

So here is my DIY solution . . .

1. Beg, borrow, or steal (o.k. don't really steal) 1 portable AC

2. Grab some cardboard, duct tape, (2) garden spray nozzles and large leaf-sized trash bag.

3. Assemble step 1 and 2 in the most desirable, energy efficient manner (or simply one that will hold the AC so it doesn't fall "outta the winder" in the middle of the night, scaring the "bagezus" outta ya)!

See Complete Setup: Tutorial self-explanatory

And because when you have a ginormous hole in your bedroom wall, you just know it is going to lightning, hail and rain cats-n-dogs!

Make sure to "Water-proof" the assembly by utilizing the aforesaid mentioned black trash bag and duct tape.

HOT DIYing

Linked to:
Blockg Party @ Elements Interiors

Deck Chair Re-do

OOPS! 

I up and added the wrong post to Kim's Blockg Party at Savvy Southern Style, Elements Interiors , No Minimalist Here and SAS Interiors. Here is what you should have seen.

My BAD!

I purchased these sling style deck chairs from an outdoor flea market held at the "old" Cowboys stadium 30 years ago.

Before:
Note the burn hole from a campfire (whew! that was close).

Picture loader not cooperating this morning . . .getting frustrated . . . this was the oly way! ARGHHHHHHHHHH

Click on the image below to take you to Picassa for the whole kitten-kaboodle!

Deck chairs Linking to: Transformation Thursday @ Shabby Chic Cottage  Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage

From wimpy to WOW!

Sometimes just adding something small, can totally transform something into

AMAZING

By taking a free remnant of cowhide and 150 (or so) nail heads, this secretary lid went up a notch!

from yuck

to YUM

I couldn't be happier with the outcome!

Thank you for visiting!

Linking to:

Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Amaze Me Monday @ Dittle Dattle

Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Wow us Wednesday's @ Savvy Southern Style 

Transformation Thursday @ Shabby Chic Cottage 

Furniture Feature Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed

 

It's Twins!

Twin angel babies!

I know, you ask, "What's so special about that?"

I know the images are blue, but I am "in the pink!"

Here's why!

Identical little merman baby, cast iron (that means HEAVY) candle sconces.

Do I use them as corbels? 

Do I use them as a support for a glass shelf (gotta see my babies)?

Do I just use them a candle sconces?

All I KNOW is the patina is PERFECT, that I cannot change!

And look at that face, straining as he holds the urn on top of his head!

Thanks for letting me ramble!

(it's that "wings thing" again) 

Linking to:

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous 

Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Cardboard Creation

Just wanted to re-visit the headboard I created from an empty cardboard refrigerator box.

Inspiration: Ballard Designs

My version:

 

For the link to the tutorial, click here.

Linking to:
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage
Amaze Me Monday @ Dittle Dattle

Thrifty Finds

Looky, schmooky at what I found at an estate sale.

Be jealous, 'cause, boo-yah, I got it all, yes I said ALL for

<drum roll here>

$4.00

  

Pricing Breakdown:

Two white chenille bedspreads     $2.00

Wool blanket                                 1.00

New stacking shelves                       .25

New in box immersion blender         .25

vintage food scale                            .25

mini cheese dome w/plate                .25

GRAND TOTAL                        $4.00

I was ONE LUCKY GIRL that day!

Linking to:

Masterpiece Monday@ Boogieboard Cottage