moving things around

I thought our porch could use a bit of a redo.  The last time I moved things around was early last summer.  The bridge cloth on the makeshift barrel table has faded on the front side which is alright because it has holes and all anyway.  Sometimes I buy things like that cheap at yard sales solely for these purposes.

This entire "moving of the things" was inspired by a light bulb.  Not the idea ones that appear over heads in cartoons, but an actual vintage looking light bulb.  See... I have this lamp that I paid a quarter for at a yard sale (imagine that) that I can't seem to find a shade to fit.  I saw one of these light bulbs in a lamp for sale on Etsy and set out to find myself one.  I wound up finding the "vintage" labelled bulbs at the Home Depot and was tickled to death.  Before... the table was on the left of our front door.  I had to move it to the right of the door because that's where the plug is.  See... moving things around.  This also inspired me to change the table top scenery, move a bench or two around and even add a coffee table.  The coffee table kinda threw Shaun off for a minute.  "That coffee table's gonna get a bit of weather up here" he said.  "Better than molding in the basement" I said.  Plus it's being used now.  I like it here.  It will especially come in handy when bean breaking season gets here and will be a good place to set lemonade during a library read on the church pew.

Before

Before

Before

What's going on out here?!?! 

(p.s. the Cotton is not normally in our house) 

After

That little chair is Shaun's Granny's high chair from when she was little.  I plan to have a trailing plant sitting there this summer. 

I feel this sign is appropriate form the entrance to our house.

Well... look at me being all professional and not taking pictures of the other side of the door!  I can't wait to bring my plants back out to garnish the decor with fresh green.  Flowers will be a nice touch too!

OH and BTW... HERE's the link to the light bulb inspiration Etsy shop.

See the church pew?  HERE's where my sister and I painted it.

HERE's when I found the Wildlife Refuge sign.

Another one of my favorite things about being outside and this weather.

And how to plant in a dump truck.

cinnamon popcorn

OK.  I know a lot of recipes found say "The Best" or Best Ever".  I am claiming this recipe to be "most addictive".  I seriously have a hard time leaving this alone.  This is a snack that we make at the day care and one that I promptly talked my sister into making to take on a road trip with friends!  When I made the first batch, while equally addictive, I didn't bake in the oven.  Which left the cinnamon kernels kind of soggy and some stuck in my teeth.  Not complaining... it was still wonderful.  But the second batch, not the same day, was baked in the oven which made each kernel crunchy again and delectably wonderful!  I strongly suggest the second method!  

Heating the popcorn in the oven reminded us of our neighbor Carol when we were kids.  She would heat up stale Cheetos in the oven and they would crunch up even more and made them last a lot longer!  I personally liked the more burnt ones but I am a little odd like that.   Funny memories!

Here is the fantastic recipe.  Please make this and try your very best to share it!  I will not be held responsible for any belly aches as a result of over gorging!  It reminds me of last year, coming home from Bellbuckle, TN, we ate and ate and ate the kettle corn that we bought on the way out.  So much that my tongue wasn't quite the same for a couple of days.  But somehow I couldn't stop.  There was just one more piece that was doused in sweet stuff.  Good Luck!

What?? What's Bellbuckle??? Only the best craft fair in the South!  See my posts about our trips 

HERE and HERE.  

And read a funny story about someone who stole some flower seeds.

And our favorite store, Phillips General Store.

P.S. Happy April Fool's Day!  Don't let anybody fool ya!

weekend shots

whew what a weekend!  i feel like it was one of those weekends where i got to do pretty much whatever i wanted... in addition to the things i had to do.  i was able to squeeze in a walk to the woods twice this weekend.  one was with a friend on friday which was pretty cool.  we made some good finds.  then yesterday it was kate and i and i took my drawing pad and pencil instead of my camera.  the camera definitely captures the beauty of the place better than i can with a drawing pen or pencil.  oh well.  i also got to try my hand at being a real waitress, went dancing, avoided wearing jeans, bought a new hat and kate got in the pond for the first time!  how was YOUR weekend?

She was very verbal with the fish in the pond.

She splashes with her paw the bites the water.

I have several pictures of her when she would stop and give me this look.

Boy she was after those fish.  I didn't seem to phase them in the least.

I spy...

Marble found in the creek.

A few of my favorite things

Tulip Poplar showing come green.

weekend finds... a coyote skull, a brownie bottle and a feather left on the doorstep.

Me and Katie Bug

Trout Lillies should be blooming by next weekend.  The leaves are coming up everywhere in the woods.

HERE is a shot of the dogtooth lillies or trout lillies from 2012.  I missed them last year.

literally on the library hold shelf

I seriously saw the mention of The Broken Circle Breakdown on a blog and thought I'd see if the library had it.  I've been on the hold list for a few weeks for it.... still waiting.

The 30-Day Vegan Challenge.  I am anxious to read more about vegans and heck since I have been challenged thus far with my diet... why not push it further!  Do it Gul!

Green Smoothie Magic.  Since I got my Vita Mix, we've made smoothies at the day care at least twice a week and had them for our dessert with lunch.  This book is cute in that it talks about green magic juice from leaves and the making of smoothies in a kid sense.  

I am still on my bread making kick and Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day I had to see.  I have really enjoyed the other bread books I have had and learned a lot but I still haven't found the dark bread recipe I am looking for.  Maybe this one will have something for me!