Thrift Find of the Week

I've spent the last week working in my new classroom (why a new classroom?) . . . so I was thrilled to find this on a thrift trip for $4.50!

A quick spray paint job, and I'm already envisioning how I'll organize my things!

Cheap Mantel Makeover

In our old house, there was no space to decorate above our mantel. So, I have really come to appreciate the opportunity to play around with our mantle now!

I bought this large canvas over a year ago . . . still uncertain with what to do . . . until I remembered a large painting of an orange Grady and I saw on our trip to Asheville, NC a couple of years ago. The same painting that very well could have been the spark that ignited my fascination with the color itself!

**(I have just a handful of shopping items I will always regret without a doubt that I didn't purchase. This is one of them . . . )**

Anyway, it was big, bright and exactly my style.

Now. I'm no painter, and I knew there was no way I'd be able to reconstruct exactly what I had seen . . . so I took a different approach. Kind of . . . an . . . Eric Carle approach maybe . . .

I do love orange.

Friday's Food: The Salad

This week Kristy chose salads. This is a good one I got from Grady's mom a while ago.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

10 oz. spinach
2 c strawberries
1 c pecans (toasted in the oven a bit)
1/4 c Splenda
3 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 c egg substitute (Egg Beaters)
1/3 c Canola oil

Mix eggs, sugar and lemon juice. Add oil. Chill for 30 minutes. Toss mixture with strawberries, pecans and spinach when ready to serve.

The Maduro Room

I guess I've been so busy worrying about the house lately that I've neglected to update you on all The Maduro Room happenings . . .

Going on 3 years now, the store has gained quite a loyal following. There are now 3 incredible people working with Grady . . . all of which have become great friends. They started a cigar club a while ago and have had frequent cigar events from the get-go. Most recently, Grady purchased a small bar and is awaiting his beer and wine license.

Mike, Grady, Steve & Barret

If you haven't yet stopped by, there's no better time than now!

Happy Anniversary, Love.

Neither Grady or I can believe we were married 4 years ago today. I can't tell you how fast time flies . . . especially around someone you love and adore so much. God blessed me more than I could ever imagine with Grady. I'll never stop thanking Him . . .

I love you, Grady.

Long Overdue

You're already familiar with our master bedroom redo . . . most of which is full of thrifting finds. But, it wasn't until now that I've had the time to update the bedside tables. I found these tables a while ago on a thrifting trip with Grady's mom and always had in the back of my mind that they needed to be painted. Well . . . I'm proud to say, it finally happened!

BEFORE

(Salsa thoroughly "oversaw" this portion of the project.)

AFTER

Not a major change,
but it turned out to be exactly what I was looking for.

FuN with FOOD!

I couldn't leave Kristy hanging . . .
She started a "Blog Roll" entitled "Foodie Friday."
This week it's "The Appetizer." (Great idea, Kristy!)

I can't take total credit for this recipe. My mom has made this EASY (and I do stress EASY) recipe for years, and it never fails . . . . . people come running everytime!

Gouda Round

1 gouda round (usually found with the gourmet cheeses)
1 package of crescent rolls

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Open gouda package (which has a wax covering). Wrap crescent dough around gouda. Bake for roughly 20 minutes on a oven safe dish. (I usually cook it until a little cheese starts to run out. If the center is not yet melted, cook for a few more minutes.)
Serve with crackers.


Guaranteed deliciousness.