Yard Sale Metal Candle Holders Transformed!

Last week I posted a Master List in an effort to keep myself accountable and on task.  Well, I did accomplish one task!  In honor of that, I'm linking to Amy's Anti-Procrastination Tuesdays.



 I had purchased five metal candle holders with the glass inserts inside at a yard sale back in April and had yet to do anything with them.

I must admit to a budding love affair with spray paint - it is so easy and so much fun!  And, it transforms items into something completely new without much fuss or money.  That's my kind of "re-do" for sure.

The candle holders looked like this when I bought them:

Not the most attractive things in the world right now, but I was envisioning summer nights with candlelight on the patio...so I bought five of them with hopes of making them look better.  Now I am kicking myself for not purchasing the entire box because I am tickled with the way they turned out.  Ah well, who knows - I may find more another day.

When the glass inserts were removed, the inside of the holders looked like this:

I decided to paint the two black ones pure white and the gold ones a brushed silver color.  First, I removed the glass candle inserts.  Those were washed and freed of the old candles inside.  Next, I spray painted the metal holders with a few coats of spray paint.  I really like Krylon spray paint products.  So far, they've covered the best and are very reasonable in price at about $2.97 per can at Wal-Mart.

The brushed nickel ones turned out like this:

At first, I placed the gold colored glass inserts back in, but immediately realized I didn't like the two colors together at all, so I spray painted the glass inserts the same brushed nickel color.  It's not the contrast for which I was hoping, but I still think they turned out well.  Aren't they classy?

The black metal painted white turned out like this:

Very tickled with these!  I love how the blue glass comes through the white.  Can't wait to see these illuminated on a summer night very soon!

I'll try to remember to take a photo while the candles are lit inside the holders.  In my mind, it's pretty!  

Until next time...all my best to you,

Coming Soon...

I have truly neglected my 'lil blog as of late!  I just wanted to let you know about a few posts that are coming soon so hopefully you won't give up on me altogether and will return soon to see what is new.   

I so appreciate each and every one of you who have taken the time to follow my humble 'lil blog.  Thank you, thank you!

Some of these topics are based on my Master List whereas others are simply things I'd like to share in hopes of encouraging someone else to get creative and perhaps learn something new this summer. 

Here is what coming soon!  

• Strawberry jam recipe and tutorial - click here
• My finished .50 candle holders - painted and pretty!  See them here.
• Photos of the organized office closet (woo-hoo!)  Finally - a few photos
• Musings on home education and our year
• Recipe for one of my favorite chocolate desserts - it's easy and ever-so-delicious!  Chocolate Mint Crisps Recipe
• Country walk...if I can get the photos from my phone onto the computer...any computer techies out there that could help me with that?  Update:  never could get it to work...
• Thoughts on aging parents...and the role of the oldest child.  This one may take a while for me to formulate.  It's a difficult topic for me, but one I know that the Lord is preparing me to face in not too many years.  Update:  I've decided I'm not quite ready for this one...

I certainly hope you'll return to see what's new!  I promise to do my best to get some new material up in the next few days.  

I think I really like this new choice of text.  Any thoughts?

Until then...all my best to you. 

The Master List Keeps Getting Longer

My to-do list seems to get longer and longer every day with projects I want to finish.  Are you like this too?  I look around the house and think, "oh yeah, I want to get that done too" and that thought is quickly followed up with "right...in all my spare time!"

However, for at least three weeks now, I have been inspired by the posts at New Nostalgia.

It's time to write about my Master List!  Maybe this will help keep me accountable...

Each week Amy has a feature called Anti-Procrastination Tuesday's which is meant to encourage readers to get their projects completed and then share how they did it.  You can write about your long list of goals, things you have accomplished, or how you beat procrastination.




I know what you're thinking...yes, it's taken me 3 weeks to post!  Yeah, I've been procrastinating...I guess.

I have what I call the Master List for all of my want-to-do or need-to-do tasks and projects.  It seems like we can get a lot done some days, whereas on other days absolutely nothing seems to get done.  Anyone else get what I mean? 

Ok, so on to my Master List.  My goodness, it's long!

Susan's Master List

• Compile and complete the girl's portfolios  Yea!  I actually did this, but it was on the list and I wanted to show at least one thing accomplished, so here it is.
• Stain the shelves in the office my sweet husband put up for me nearly two years ago.  I want to stain the wood to match the top of my desk.  That will be a long project considering the shelves are in working order and full of stuff.  But, every time I look at them I think about how they just don't match the desk.  (Can you say distraction??)
• Reorganize the office closet.  Done!  See photos here.
  
• Figure out how to incorporate exercise into my seemingly already packed days. I'm fitting it in during my morning hours.  Yes!
  
• Spray paint those little candle holders I found at a garage sale a month ago (they're sitting on my patio table just begging to be beautified!)    Done! 
• Finish H's quilt for her birthday (that's in less than two weeks!)
• Finish putting mulch down in the flowerbeds - I have been to Lowe's twice and still didn't buy enough mulch!  Ugh, have to go back again...in all my spare time...(wink, wink)  Done!
  
• Organize this side of the attic - oh my...that's going to be interesting now that it is so very hot up there.
• Re-do both girl's bedrooms - not necessarily painting, but organizing, cleaning out closets, purging, switching out winter for summer wardrobes, etc.  I'd like to be able to enjoy walking into those rooms.  We finally got the lofts built for the girls' rooms and everything has been reorganized.  Yippee!  Hoping to post photos soon.
  
• Find a part for the coffee pot that has been sitting on my laundry room floor for months...or get rid of it!  Gone.
  
• Sew a skirt for the stand on which the small fish tank now resides (it needs some aesthetic help!)
• Get H's b-day invitations into the mail.  I actually got them into the mail 8 days before the party. 
  
• Organize the front closet.  Did it!  I found some great fabric covered storage boxes at a garage sale for $10 and they work great for that shelf in the closet.  All the scarfs, hats, and gloves are now nicely and neatly contained.  It was so great to see those exact boxes at Target and discover that brand new they would have cost between $65 and $70 for all four!  LOVE garage sales!
• Find new cushions for the glider.  Our resident squirrels tore apart one of the cushions to the point it's beyond repair.  I hope she's enjoying her nest!!  Not having too much luck here...
  
• Buy bird feed and fill the feeders.  Our new hobby is watching the birds.  
• Organize the fabric stash and what-not under my sewing desk.  Don't even know what is under there anymore!  Ahhh...organization!  Love it.  Done.
  
• Get files from my laptop to the main hard drive.  Working on this today.
  
• Vacuum and clean the van.  How does it get so cluttered so quickly?  I've done this twice since the original post, so that's a good thing!  

Well, that's it for now.  I know there are more for me to put up here, but I can't find my other list!  It's ok - I'll find it...eventually.  (Deep breath...sigh...)

All my best to you and yours today.  May you begin to tackle your to-do list too!
 

Flowers in the Bible

I have this thing for flowers...not sure why, but I just love them.  I love taking photographs of these fragile, intricate, and beautiful plants that the Lord created and put here for us to enjoy. 

As I was looking at my flower photos, I wondered - how many times is "flower" or a reference to it mentioned in the Bible?  I finally found this site that references over 100 different types of flowers mentioned in God's Word.  Love that! 

My hope is that you enjoy the photos of the flowers this morning.  But, most of all, I pray that your praise and worship time this morning will be a blessed time for you and yours.

Matthew 6:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. 

1 Kings 6:35 And he carved thereon cherubims and palm trees and open flowers: and covered them with gold fitted upon the carved work.

 

 

Song of Solomon 2:1 I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.

 

All my best to you this Sunday morning,

Humbled and Blessed by My Daughters

Have you ever had one of those days when nothing seems to please you?  A day when you're just plain cranky and aren't even sure why you feel that way? 

That was yesterday for me.  It could have been because I quit caffeine this week.  Or, it could be the little piles of stuff in seemingly every room of the house that represent tasks or projects that I just can't seem to get to or even have the motivation to complete.  At any rate, I was cranky.  Nothing I did seemed to squelch the feeling of anxiety welling up in me.  I finally left the house so I could escape the reminders of everything I needed to accomplish, thinking that would help me get some new perspective. 

Well, I can say I have a new perspective alright!  I desperately need summer clothes, so I visited two stores and tried on a few things.  Ok, that did not help.  (I'm never eating again.) 

I returned home, even more cranky than before, and tried to tackle one room of the house - the kitchen.  As I was doing that, my girls came in and gave me hugs.  Just quiet, sweet hugs.  As if they knew I was having "one of those days". 

Shortly after that, Julie came to me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers that she picked from the flowerbeds along our driveway.  It blessed me that she would think of doing something so sweet for me despite my horrible countenance and attitude.  The next thing I know, Heather brought me a whole passel of rose blooms! 

Isn't it amazing how our children can be so forgiving?  I am so thankful and so humbled that they have such tender hearts toward me.  I am so undeserving of their love and devotion and yet they continue to give it to me...and bless me so much.  Forgiveness...sweet forgiveness....that is what came to mind as I looked at those beautiful flowers and hugged on my girls.  I pray that the Lord will work a heart of forgiveness in me...

I loved walking into the kitchen this morning to see these beautiful flowers right next to the coffee pot.

Have you had an experience when you were humbled by an act of someone else?

All my best to you today,

10 Ways to Simplify a Busy Gal's Life

Good Sunday Morning Ladies,  I have been thinking a lot lately about how busy women trying to "do it all" could simplify their life a bit more.  I know I continue to explore new ways to simplify my life which seems to spiral out of control sometimes.  I thought I'd share 10 ways I've simplified this busy household of ours and I am hoping you'll share your ideas for simplifying too. 

This is my first time using Linky Tools.  I hope it goes well!

10 Ways This Busy Gal Attempts to Simplify Life

1. Delegate some of the chores - our daughters will be 8 and 11 this summer, so they are very capable of lending a helping hand around the house.  We've given them a list of chores to do each day and when they are completed in a timely manner, the house is much more organized and clean.  On the days I have to push a bit more...well...ok, not so simplified, but it's a work in progress.
2. De-Clutter - I feel like I do this on a regular basis!  It's so freeing however and so I will continue to do so.  I just cleaned the office closet a few weeks ago and now it is a joy to get in there and find what I need at a glance.  Take the time to clean out that stack of magazines, re-organize your kitchen cabinets and pantry and anything else that seems to be staring at you...taunting you...and you'll feel a lot better!  If you want more tips on de-cluttering, visit my friend Denise for more tips to de-clutter your home.
3. Get out of debt - this is so crucial to simplifying life and we just discovered for ourselves the real truth of this concept.  Last November, we made the commitment to get out of credit card debt.  We knew it would be a difficult thing to do, but we were tired of making those huge payments on something we would never really enjoy.  Long story short, the Lord has provided in various ways in the last several months and we will pay off the credit card in full this coming week.  Yes!  Nothing relieves stress over finances like the knowledge that you're living within your means.  There are so many great resources out there to help you learn how to be free of debt.  We like Dave Ramsey and we have heard other people talk about how Crown Financial Ministries has helped them become financially free.  
4. It's acceptable to say "no" - busy women, especially moms I know, seem to say yes to every opportunity that comes their way and then they end up so stressed and harried and pulled in every direction that their life is suddenly out of control.  This can lead to extreme unhappiness and discord in the home, which doesn't serve any good purpose.  Say "no" now and then.  Be realistic about what you personally can handle each day, each week, and each month.  You need to know and understand your own boundaries so you can be effective in whatever ministry the Lord has for you right now.  If you're like me, my ministry right now is my husband, children, loved ones and friends.  Yes, that is a ministry!  Don't let anyone tell you that if you're not toiling here, there, and everywhere that you're not serving the Lord and the body of Christ.  But, I digress..that's another post at some later date.  Say "no" now and then.  It's okay!
5. Focus on healthy relationships - nothing can make your life more difficult and stressful than toxic relationships.  Focus on the relationships with people who edify you, support you, and love you for who you are right now, today.  Foster those relationships with people who desire to help you become a more godly woman, a better mom, friend, daughter, wife, and person.  You can be a blessing to another person in this way too!  It's a wonderful blessing to have people in your life who are encouraging you to become who the Lord wants you to be (according to His Word).
6. Slow down and sit awhile - instead of scrubbing the bathroom yet another time this week, sit down and play a game with your children or curl up with your favorite magazine for a few minutes.  Take time for devotions - a simple time of reading God's Word and praying.  Busy gals simply need to slow down and sit awhile now and then!  I know what you're thinking - "oh, but the guilt!"  I am the first one to raise a hand to acknowledge that I should heed this tidbit of advice more than anyone.  It's ok to sit now and then and just watch your children play.  It's ok to sit with your husband and chat with him about...well...anything that is on your heart.  My favorite lately - watching the birds at the feeder.  Love that.  Give it a try today and let me know how it went, ok?
7. Have an "unplugged weekend" - my sister gave me this idea a while ago.  They spend a weekend now and then unplugged from all the trappings of technology - computer, headphones and music gadgets, etc.  They even curb their cell phone time to a base minimum, if anything.  It's a time of reconnecting with each other and taking the time to enjoy simple things together.  Many of us are "overconnected" and need a break from all of the technology, even if these things make our lives easier in some ways.  
8. Make the bed each morning - this is one thing I strive to do every single day and for whatever reason, it tends to make me feel less stressed.  Our bedroom is the one room of the house I try to keep uncluttered and tidy every day.  I don't always succeed, but when I do, it's a haven for those times during the day I need to escape.  So, choose that one thing that makes you feel like you have a teeny bit of control each morning and do it!
9. Make a cleaning schedule and stick to it - a cleaning schedule has been a blessing to me.  I have to allow myself a bit of leeway sometimes if something unexpected comes up, but otherwise I like knowing what needs to be done that day.  Once it's done, I know I'm on track for the week.  
10. Pursue a passion - do you have a hobby you love?  Take the time to indulge in it when you can!  Piecing quilts is one of my favorite hobbies and helps to relieve stress, so I go back to my sewing table now and then and just work with fabric.  It does wonders for me!  Do you love pottery, sewing, scrapbooking, or photography?  Make time for whatever it is you love to do.  

 I'd love to hear how you simplify your life!  In looking at this list, it doesn't scream "simplicity", but you get the idea, right?  I look forward to hearing from you.

Here's how to add your link:  write a post about simplifying your life and post it on your blog.  Then return here to add your link at the bottom of the page. 



All my best to you on this Sunday morning,

Airing "Dirty" Laundry - Not What You Think

Good Saturday Morning!  I hope this morning finds you refreshed and ready to enjoy a nice weekend doing whatever it is you do with friends or family.  Me - I'm going to be working our homeschool co-op's HUGE curriculum sale today.  We set up yesterday and it is amazing to me how much stuff is there!  It's always fun to shop, but even more fun to fellowship with some wonderful Christian women. 

I'm linking up today with Susie B. Homemaker's Weekend Wind Down.  This weekend's topic is one every woman can relate to I think - laundry!  It's always interesting to see what techniques people use to get the grass stains or chocolate (my personal favorite) out of the clothing.


For this Weekend Wind Down, there were 4 questions to answer.

1.  Do you use liquid or powder laundry detergent, what brand?
We don't use any laundry detergent (did I just hear an almost audible gasp in blog-land?!)  We use Laundry Pure by Ecoquest International which utilizes oxygen and silver ionization to clean the clothes.  It sanitizes and smells fantastic.  We have saved a lot of money on laundry detergent over the last several years!

    2.  Do you pre-treat, if so what's your stain remover of choice?
I do pre-treat.  What mom of little ones doesn't?  Oxy-Clean is my stain fighter of choice.  Love that stuff.

    3.  Where is your laundry room located?
We live in a small home of about 1,400 square feet, so ours is located right inside the front door to the right of the foyer.  It's nice because it's centrally located, but someday, if ever given a choice, I'd love to have the laundry in the bathroom.

    4.  How many loads of laundry would you say you do a week?
Oh my...I'd say at least 7-8.  Some are small loads, but we do at least 5 significant-sized loads each week.  Our girls do the sorting now which makes my job so much easier - just toss it in and go!

I won't be doing laundry today, but Monday will come 'round again.

All my best to you today,