I'm NOT Ready

The blog title "I'm NOT Ready," could apply to lots of things. In this case, I am referring to the weather. We have had some freakishly warm weather around here. Last week it was downright HOT. Today and tomorrow it is supposed to be 90+, before it cools down a bit.

I have remained quiet about the heat, until now. I was hoping that it was just a fluke and it temps would cool down for a while. Now I'm scared. I think the oppressive heat is here for the duration of the summer, and I'M NOT READY!!!!!! I do not like to be hot.

My child looks cool, despite the heat!

So... To the weather gods... Please play nice in the sandbox with the south, this summer. Can you keep the temps in the 80s  with ample rain for the summer????? Thanks!

To everyone else... I hope you stay cool!

Show & Tell Refurb

Here is a little show & tell about an almost finished project. I found a vintage cabinet in a thrift store. It was cute and good quality. It just needed a little TLC, mostly like a mini face lift. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of what it originally looked like.

Here it is now:

I thought that I was just going to touch up the finish with mahogany stain, but...

After I put on the mahogany stain, I thought I thought it looked too red. It sat in the garage for a couple of months while I contemplated what to do with it.

Then, I saw the Ordinal Dresser from Anthropologie:

And I was inspired!

My inspiration lead me to strip the cabinet and add a white wash. I added the numbers using white paint and a stencil. Of course, I thought it looked TOO WHITE. So... I added some wipe-on walnut colored stain, which is where it is now. I still need to add the hardware. Hopefully I will be satisfied with it after that. I will post an updated picture when it's done.

Memorial Day

This is a picture I found of Arlington National Cemetery, on wikipedia. I love that volunteers put flags on the graves in the national cemeteries for Memorial Day!

Did you know that Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day? It was started after the Civil War to honor the Union soldiers that died in the war. Now, it is a day to remember all of the men and women who died while serving in the US Armed Forces. So, I just wanted to take a minute to remember those who died in military service. That is such a huge sacrifice, especially for the families!

I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!

Truck Stop Potatoes

I am a foodie. Have I mentioned that? I love to cook and eat. My food motto is: life's too short to eat bad food. By bad food, I mean anything that tastes bad to the person eating it. I add that explanation because I do eat my share of unhealthy, guilty pleasures. McDonald's french fries anyone??????

About a year ago, I can across a recipe for Truck Stop Potatoes in a magazine. The name just cracked me up and definitely got my attention. I have to say that I have no idea where the name comes from. Upon reading the recipe, I discovered that it contains potatoes, cheese, tomatoes, and sour cream. These are some of Alex's favorite things (they are also pretty high on my list). So... I decided to try it, and it is a hit! I have modified the original recipe to suit our tastes and I thought I would share. Feel free to take it and make it your own.

Truck Stop Potatoes

Truck Stop Potatoes

2 pounds red skin potatoes cut into large chunks

1 large onion chopped (approx. 1 cup or to taste)

8 oz sour cream (I would not use fat-free but can use low-fat)

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (Monterrey Jack works well also)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes drained (needs to be drained or potatoes will be soupy)

pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350. 

Boil potatoes and onion until the potatoes are tender, approx 20 min. Drain potatoes & onion and put into a large bowl. Add all other ingredients and stir to combine. Spoon the mixture into a baking dish. Bake uncovered until heated through and bubbly, 20-30 min. Allow potatoes to cool slightly before serving. They come out of the oven hot & cheesy.

*I like to sprinkle a little extra cheese on top and return it to the oven for about 5 min to let the cheese melt. 

Eat & Enjoy!

I'm thinking that these would be fantastic with a little bacon crumbled in. I will have to try that next! You could also add some peppers or salsa to give it a tex-mex kick. 

Happy eating!

Mother's Day

I hope everyone had a lovely Mother's Day! My mom and stepfather were in town for an extended weekend. It was nice, but extra work for me. You know, extra cooking & cleaning. Of course, Sassy was extra sassy and less likely to sleep. Fun times! Overall, it was a good weekend around here. I spent a lot of time thinking about what a wonderful and difficult job it is to be a mom.

I did have a little time to myself. I was able to buy some junk and paint a bit. Here is a painting I finished:

Maybe Because It Rained All Day

Happy Monday to everyone, especially the Moms (because we all know that everyday should be Mother's Day).

Meet Mee, Nee & Ghee

The cuteness around our house these days is out of control. Sassy 20 months old now. She is talking more and more. She is getting into everything. This really is a precious age.

See what I mean about the cuteness? Here is Sassy attempting to sit in an old Little Tikes baby doll stroller. Of course, it tipped over but she didn't get hurt. She just stood up and looked at me like that was what she meant to do the whole time.

This morning, she woke up and started saying the dogs names. Have I mentioned that I have three dogs: Sammie, Vinnie, and Spanky? Alex, has one dog named Zoe. Collectively, we have four dogs! Yes, you read that right, FOUR DOGS! And... Alex's son has a tortoise, Rex, that lives with us. So... That's four dogs, one tortoise, and a toddler that live here full-time. Plus, Alex's 10 year old son that is here every Wednesday and every other weekend. Beautiful mess anyone?

Anyway... Back to the toddler & the dogs...

In Sassy language, this is Mee (aka Sammie):

This is Nee (aka Vinnie):

And... Last but not least, this is Ghee (aka Spanky):

 I'm not sure how she says Zoe's name yet, but it is just too funny to hear her name these three. I just can't stand it!!!!!

By the way, have you noticed that I have a thing for dogs with short snouts??????

Happy Friday from Mee, Nee, & Ghee!

I made one!!!!!!

Here is a not so great photo of my melted crayon art!

I have been interested in creating one of these ever since I saw them all over the internets. I was curious about the process. Like, do you need a heat gun??????

This is what I found out... It was actually a lot of fun in a destructive, I probably shouldn't be doing this kind of way. You do not need a heat gun, a hair dryer works JUST FINE. In fact, the crayons begin to melt in a matter of seconds and become super runny. The air from the dryer will cause the wax to splatter.

I was surprised at how quickly they melt and by the consistency of the wax. I really thought it would take longer and be thicker. I dunno why I thought that. Anyway, this is probably not a good project to have young children participate in.

Oh yeah... I should also mention that it creates a burning, melted wax smell. I cannot give details on the pungency of the smell, because I have had a cold and can't smell much of anything (dirty diapers and dogs farts included -- it's been a bonus!). However, Alex looked at the canvas and said, "oh that's what the smell is." It may be a good idea to try this one outside or in a well ventilated area.

I give this project 2 thumbs up, because it's easy & amusing. Have fun!!!!!!

"Do one thing everyday that scares you."

"Do one thing everyday that scares you," is a quote by Eleanor Roosevelt. I read it somewhere, probably on a blog in the black hole of the internet (you get sucked in and can't find your way back out).  I don't remember exactly where, because I have a toddler and four dogs. I'm lucky if I remember where my keys are most days (seriously people)!

Anyway, I read this quote and it really stuck with me. I feel like I lost my mojo somewhere and I have been wanting to get it back. I think I used to be fearless. Now when I have something that I need or want to do but feel like a chicken shit, I think of this and do it anyway. Hopefully, I get in more than one thing that scares me on most days.

So here goes... I haven't posted anything about art so far, BUT I say that I'm an artist.

Here are a few recent paintings:

Come Play With Me

It Changed It's Mind

All I wanted Was Purple and Yellow

Neon Windows

OK... There is one thing that scares me for today. Yes, it is scary to post pictures of my art work. I admit it! It's tough to put yourself out there, but I encourage everyone to do things that scare them, no matter how small. It feels good once you've done them!

I got some Rain Boots!

I bought some rain boots!!!!! And... The best part... I bought them second hand!!!!! Have I mentioned how much I love thrift stores? I am obsessed!!!!!!

Now that I have the boots, I have to wear them. Right? Well, it has been a little rainy here, today. I am considering wearing them, but I am not sure if I can pull it off. I want to wear my rain boots and look fabulous doing it.

Kinda like this:

Or this:

Or with shorts:

I don't know if I'm going to muster enough courage to actually wear them. I'm afraid I will look like a dork! Maybe I will only wear them around the house, which is why it is so great that I bought them second hand. I got them for a song!

TGIF!

May 2012 Issue of Southern Living

Here is the May issue of Southern Living Magazine. I picked it up, from the store, to read last night.

Ha ha!

Why ha ha? Alex went to the Hawks game and I was home with Sassy. She hasn't been feeling her best and is snotting EVERYWHERE! Naturally, I thought she would go to bed easy peasy by 8:30. Of course, I WAS WRONG. It took me 2 HOURS to get my toddler to bed!!!!!! By the time she was asleep, it was 9:45 and I did not read my new Southern Living magazine.

Do you see this face????? This is the come-on-mom-do-you-really-think-you-are-going-to-get-a-night-off face. Cute isn't it? (I AM being serious about the cuteness, by the way.)

Back to the magazine... I did get to read it this morning and it has some great recipes and writing. You should check it out! There is also a photo featuring 2 paintings by Michelle Armas. She is a local Atlanta artist. I really like her work. She uses lots of bright, fun colors. I'm so happy to see her mentioned in Southern Living, it's great to see a local artist doing well!

That's all for now. Stay tuned.