Some Random Things Today

I forgot to post some desserts from a few weeks ago that I created. First off, I had made pan of brownies but wanted frosting for them. But I had no confectioner sugar. Then I remembered something I learned from a Girl Scout leader friend years ago. So I tossed four Milky Ways (which I did have on hand) and a tablespoon of peanut butter and about 1-2 tablespoons of water in a double boiler and melted it till it was mixed and creamy. Then I poured it on the warm brownie so it would spread. It set up into a nice fudgy caramel peanut butter frosting. it was a huge hit.

Then I made another pan of brownies. This was a request from a guy I work with. He asked for brownies with "some coconut, peanut butter, caramel, chocolate chips and apples." Okay, that was a little complicated so I just had to wing it. What I did was make the brownie mix with some peanut butter and coconut inside the brownie. Once it baked, I toasted some more coconut and stirred it into a bowl of Marzetti Caramel Dip and poured that on the warm brownies so it would spread. I then melted chocolate chips and drizzled that over the coconut caramel icing. I could figure out how to incorporated the apples so I just cut up fresh apples and mixed them in a side bowl of caramel dip as well. That way, he could heat the apple mixture and put on top of his brownie if he so chose. 

Everybody said both of these were to die for and want to know when I'm bringing in some more. So I guess they were a hit. I'm thinking about making me a white cake with chocolate icing today. I'll just have to see how my day goes. 

Well, I have made myself hungry so I think I'll go fix something for an early lunch. Have a great day.

Rockin' It

I was cleaning out a flower pot the other day getting ready for May flowers around the house. There was an old stone in it that had been painted and said "Blessings." It gave me an idea to may paint up a few stones to place around my flower bed. Living close to the lake, I'm sure I could find some pretty ones. Then I started looking on Pinterest (of course) and found some great ideas. I thought I wouldn't have limit to my flower garden. They could be used in my home as decor. When I go to the beach I find a lot of beautiful washed up stones but leave them there, not knowing what I would do with them. Well, I'm bringing some home this year and cleaning them up and fixing them like this to put in this big seashell dish I have in my beach bathroom.

And if you could find enough of the right sizes, how cute and fun would he be on the shelf in my office that holds beach pictures and stuff. 

I love cats so these would be adorable inside or out.

Talk about super easy.

And a pretty patriotic one for the holidays.

Too cute. These should be laid at the bottom of a strawberry plant.

Not a fan of snails, but these are adorable.

And you can't go wrong with inspirational words on anything.

A cute one to set in my mums at Halloween.

I want to do this for the table on my porch. I think that is just too cute for words.

This was just a funny one I saw that I thought I would share.

But if I do none of them but one, it would be the one below. Since my nickname is B, it stands to reason I love cute whimsical bees on things. This would be the first one I do. 

There you have it. Some new ideas for combining your love of crafting with your love of gardening. 

Weekend Wrap Up

First off just let me say I am sick of this stupid head cold and dry cough that won't go away. I'm heading to the doctor today to find out what is going on. 

I went to the 10 mile yard sale. Been going to it for many years now. It was a joke this past weekend. Places that used to be jammed packed with booths, had maybe 5 to 8 people set up on their property. Where there used to be tons of people parked on the side of the road, there were so few out shopping that you could get a parking space easy. 

We didn't make a day of it. It was freezing cold and we got tired within the first two hours. 

I did manage to score this adorable little pitcher for $1.00. 

I saw this purse I fell in love with and asked how much it was. I didn't pay much attention to the purse until she said it was just $5.00. As I was handing her the money to buy it, she said .... It's a Michael Kors. Those are very expensive purses. And I was happy with my purchase, but even though it does say Michael Kors on it, I'm not convinced it was the real thing. But didn't matter. I loved the purse. 

That was the extent of my bargains from the weekend. Hope you are having a great Monday.

Hot and Cold Rice Bags

I stopped by my daughter's the other day and she had the neatest item. It was a hot and cold press filled with rice. I have vaguely heard of them, but just never gave it much thought. My throat had been so soar and I picked it up and just laid it on my throat and oh the instant relief. You can keep them in the freezer for cold compress or heat one in the microwave for a warm compress. I decided I wanted to make one so I did what I always do.....I went to Pinterest. 

You can make them any size you want. These are just small squares.

And these are more rectangle. 

As I scrolled through ideas, I found some for children called Boo Boo Bags and they were smaller for those little moments kids need one for a little boo boo. The owls were too cute. I'm thinking a lot of us in blogger world know somebody who would love these little owls.

But I fell in love with the little bird ones.

There were even Boo Boo Bunny ones. 

And a Boo Boo Bear.

One lady even had the tutorial for making an eye ice pack for those days when you head hurts so bad behind your eyes that you crazy releif.

No matter which one hits your fancy, I'm sure we can all agree these are all adorable.

Friday Foto Friends

Linking up with Friday Foto Friends.

I sometimes wonder what our fascination is with clouds. But for some reason, we just can't seem to get enough pictures of them. We had a bad storm roll through the other night. Before it got here, I took some pictures of the sky from around my house. It never ceases to amaze me how different it can be....dark in one spot, white fluffy clouds in another. 

 

  

This is my favorite. It looks like heaven just opened up and poured out its light.

Then this morning when I ran out to the store, I looked toward the East and saw this beautiful sunrise. Made me thing of Easter morning. I hope we get a good one like that at our sunrise service.

It's Thursday....

What a wild week. Worked on Sunday, off on Monday, worked a couple of hours on Tuesday and came home with laryngitis. Off Wednesday and heading in for 8 hours today and 8 hours tomorrow and then I have the day off on Saturday. My time card is going to look so weird. 

I did a few things last week that I didn't have a chance to share with you yet. I got this little rolling card for just $10 (normally $29 at Walmart) and if you look close I cut up scrapbook paper to put in the front of the drawers to dress it up a little. I think that looks neater than seeing in drawers even if they are neat and organized. That little jar is not a job jar. It is my wish/to do list. Any time I think of something I want to buy, something I want to craft, something I want do or someplace I want to go, I jot it on paper and put it in that jar. Then once a week, I pull them out and decide what I want to do, make or buy the upcoming week. Now I never worry about forgetting something. And I don't have a big long to do list.

I finally found some small daisies for my little vintage jar. I also put a spare lamp in my craft room. The overhead lighting in there is not great for close up projects so this is my temporary fix.

I took some of my washi tape and clothespins and made some chip clips. I love assorted bags of chips and clothespins seem to keep them sealed the tightest. So I decorated my clothespins.

I am very excited about my day off this weekend. I am heading to the 10 mile yard sale from Sevierville to Newport. This is a pic from last year of just one of the many areas people set up along that route. Not to mention there must be at least 60 - 80 different site at the local high school. It's an all day thing and is very exhausting, but I always find amazing bargains.

I have several things I am looking for. I am wanting vintage phones to display in several rooms. Here are some of the choices I would take. I really want the black rotary and the pink princess phones the most. Keeping my eye open for any of these though.

Of course I am always on the look for the 401 or 402 mixing bowls. These seem to be easy to find at good prices at yard sales. Problem is I normally only find ones I already have.

I would also like to find a vintage Pyrex pie plate....

....or vintage Pyrex cake pan. They made both these items in pink, blue, green and yellow. I don't care what color, I would just like to find one.

I still can't believe I got rid of the vintage utility cart I bought for $2.00. But I didn't think I had room for it and it turned out I would have. So now I'm on the search. I would like a red or a yellow, but would settle for any in good shape at a good price.

Those are my wish list items but this is my dream item, a drop leaf formica table. I need a little table for my kitchen, but a drop leaf would be perfect because I could open it up if I need room for baking or if I need to use it for buffet style meals with the kids.

But I would also settle for a non-drop leaf formica if it wasn't a full size table.

But realistically, I would probably have better luck finding a wooden one. Which would work just as well. Especially pine since it would match my dining room table.

My granddaughters are going with me to the yard sale and spending the night. I have them trained to look for Pyrex. But I need to show them the other items so they can help me keep an eye out. They love vintage shopping and yard sales as much as I do. I'm sure we will lunch at Wendy's. Alexis has become a big fan of their chicken roll up and loves to go there when we can. Sometimes she gets the loaded baked potato as well. Of course, Shelby is the Queen of nuggets and fries wherever she goes.

Now to get through the next two days and I'll have a great day off. 

Happy birthday, sweetheart!

Today would be Allen's 65th birthday. I miss him so much but so thankful for so many wonderful memories.

Like the crazy trip to Chattanooga where we fought almost all day because we never could find where we were headed and then laughed about it for years because when we gave up looking we ended up right where we were looking for. 

Like the way we always ended up with all the teen nieces and our daughter in our car when the family came to visit and he was having to listen to conversations over who had the biggest butt. They didn't have any qualms about discussing whatever they wanted in front of him. 

Like the way we watched McClintock with John Wayne or American President with Michael Douglas every time it came on. We loved those movies.

And the way we would sit on the porch swing in the evening and talk and talk and talk. Or sometimes we would sit there and not say a word...just enjoying the quiet time together.

And how we both felt like we had to have supper over with before 8:00 so we could watch American Pickers or Counting Cars. 

Then there were the endless hours we would go for a drive out in the country and if we saw a place that looked interesting we would stop. Sometimes we would be gone all day and never stop anywhere except a little dive to eat lunch.

And oh, those wonderful trips to the beach and all those hours we spent walking or flying his kite.

Oh how excited we would both get when we found out another grandchild was on the way. He was very proud of each and every one of them.

And best of all was the times we just hung out at the house and enjoyed spending time together. 

I miss him so much every day, but every day I count the blessings that I have so many wonderful memories to keep me company.

So, happy 65th birthday sweetheart. I hope that heavenly choir is singing Happy Birthday to you today.