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6.29.2009

Case of the Mondays

It was another short weekend over here at the Green house. I still feel as if I didn't complete everything I wanted to.

I woke up Saturday morning and swore that the laundry had secretly bred during the week and after a short, sweet and inexpensive trip to Merchant Square Antique Mall with Mom, Cookie, N, & E, I met my friend M for some much needed girl talk and a makeover. Way too many dollars were spent at Sephora, but it was well worth it.

On Sunday, I picked up the kids at 8 o'clock. We enjoyed a big breakfast together, ventured out to the theater to catch Monsters vs. Aliens, and ran a few necessary errands {Home Depot, Fresh & Easy}. The kids got to finally spend their hard earned money; buying treats at the movie and then buying trinkets at the supermarket. I'm hoping that the idea of 'allowance allows you to buy things Mom won't' will stick.

At some point last week, I think I developed late insomnia. No matter how late I retreat to bed, I always wake up really early, always around 4:55, feeling internally shaky, unrested, and just not well. Yesterday, I had a really hard time shaking that feeling off. All day long I just wanted to lie down, but I knew if I did not only would the kids tear up the house, but I would be right back up anyway. I'm still researching late insomnia, but I have read several places that it's caused by stress and, with recent events, would make a lot of sense. I'll keep reading up and, if necessary, make an appointment with my PCP.

Here's wishing everyone a restful, refreshing week!

6.26.2009

TGIF

It's been a very long week.


This is getting old. I haven't seen my children for almost ten days. Except for the occasional bark from Higley, the house is the quietest it's ever been after 7pm. Thank goodness for the mile long to-do list I created.

The weekend will probably be no different as R is still days from recovery. I'm taking my healthy girls out for pizza this evening {it didn't work out Tuesday} and then hitting up Lowe's for a simple curtain rod and spray paint. I've decided to go with orange for the smaller things and white for the larger.

I'm still on the hunt for embroidered days of the week tea towels, preferably with birds or fruits and vegetables on them. My vintage yellow percolator is in the mail and, completely unrelated, so is my new fabulously beautiful, roomy Nine West handbag.

I think I'll be asking for a lot of eBay gift cards this Christmas. Wishing everyone a sunny weekend - do something extraordinary for yourself!

6.25.2009

Re-Create: Kitchen

Two days later...


For as long as I can remember, I've wanted a yellow kitchen and now I finally have one! Yay! I'm going to wait a few days before I tackle the trellis and cookbook shelf and I'm still waiting for several packages to arrive from eBay containing various antique kitchen accessories {a percolator, canisters, milk glass, etc}. I'm hoping to make it to Lowe's this evening to pick up spray paint for my plate hanger, message board, and banana tree. Although, I'm still deciding between an antique white or pumpkin orange. Perhaps I'll go with both.

I also need to find and purchase a simple curtain rod, antique planters, ribbon, embroidered tea towels, and a rug. My mom gave me a yellow antique egg basket and after years of sitting in storage, I may finally have a home for it. It's quite large, so we'll see if it fits.

It's amazing what one can accomplish with no kids around. Although, I'd be more than happy to put all of this on hold and take my sweet time if they were here with me. I miss them all so, so much.

Wishing you all a very happy Friday eve!

6.23.2009

Re-Create: Kitchen

As promised...



I'll paint the other two walls on Thursday. Tonight, I'm taking my kids for pizza.

6.22.2009

Re-Create: Kitchen

Since 'staycations' are proving to be more popular these days {Thank you, Recession!}, I've decided to take the time that the kids are away this week to host my own little 'staycation.'

Among the list of things I want to accomplish this week are a manicure, pedicure, hair cut & color, an afternoon of antiquing, and finishing the kitchen re-create. I decided that the only thing I could accomplish during the week, in parts after work, were kitchen re-create's, so I went for it.

Currently...

Bicycle Yellow here we come! I will have the third coat up within the next 45 minutes and will post more photos tomorrow when natural light is at it's best.

Case of the Mondays

Hooray! I finally have four re-created dining seats ready to host a slew of cabooses!


Just having these chairs painted a bright color added a whole new dimension of light in the kitchen. I absolutely adore them. Sadly, though, the kitchen remains a drab mauve, similar to a color you'd find in your nearest hospital.

However, the weekend was not a total bummer. I managed to finish the chairs, run some errands, bid and win a vintage percolator on eBay, and made a double batch of tasty enchilada's and my locally famous salsa for Father's Day.

Emma was diagnosed with the swine flu yesterday and the kids are staying at their father's house to contain the virus as best as possible. I'm already going crazy and can already tell it's going to be a really long, exhausting few days.

I hope everyone has a speedy week and I wish my E a speedy recovery!

6.21.2009

Movie Review


After staring at the Netflix envelope for a week, I finally settled in to watch One True Thing last night. Having read the book, I was really looking forward to see it portrayed on film. After all, Meryl Street was nominated for four awards in 1999 for her portrayal of Kate Gulden. It was an all-star cast rounding out with Renee Zellweger and William Hurt.

It tells the story of a woman who is forced to put her life on hold in order to care for her mother who is dying of cancer.

Unfortunately, the parts of the book that shaped the characters were completely left out of the film script.

In the book, Ellen Gulden starts the book from inside her jail cell. She has been charged, tried, and is awaiting the verdict for the murder of her mother. The story then unfolds, in flashback, as she is telling us about the six months she spent caring for her mother, what she's learned and who she's become. There were two main characters of the book that were completely written out of the film script because the film didn't even elude to a murder trial; which is the bulk of the story. What the film portrayed was actually a very small part of the book as most of the writing is done after Kate Gulden is gone.

I'm still trying to figure out how Meryl Street got four nomination nods for Oscars and Golden Globes for her portrayal of Kate Gulden. The pain Kate feels in the book isn't even close to how Ms. Streep performed.

I was really disappointed with the film {almost as much as I was with Twilight -I still want those two hours back} and I guess the story remains the same - books are better.

Happy Father's Day!

6.19.2009

TGIF

6.18.2009

Re-Create: Kitchen


After months of staring at various shades of yellow paint swatches taped to the walls, I finally chose a color for the kitchen: Behr's Bicycle Yellow in a semi-gloss. I tape off tomorrow night and roll on Saturday!

In addition to this purchase at the Home Depot, I picked up a trellis, S hooks, and a quart of Behr's Moon Mist {which is two shades lighter than Bicycle Yellow}. I plan on anchoring the freshly painted trellis to the wall space beside the refrigerator to display vintage aprons, a pencil cup, a pad of paper, and whatever else strikes my fancy. Above it, a cookbook shelf to display the dozen books I decided to keep {strangely, it wasn't hard to choose from my collection of 96}.

I'm also painting the insets on the kitchen cabinets Moon Mist, which I'm hoping will make the white cabinetry even whiter and maybe I won't have to bleach them every three days.

I guess you could say it's coming along, even though I still have three dining chairs waiting for turquoise. I know art isn't instant, but why does it feel like I could paint the Sistene Chapel faster?

6.15.2009

Case of the Mondays

It was just another manic weekend, packed full of errands, projects, and kids. S and I spent Friday night at Border's Books flipping through magazines and sipping java side-by-side. We got up early Saturday to collect our Bountiful Basket, hit a photography rummage sale in Arcadia and ate breakfast at La Grande Orange Grocery.

If you haven't been to La Grande Orange yet, I highly suggest that you get there.... like five minutes ago. The atmosphere was relaxing, the breakfast was amazing, and the organic coffee was even better. I fear that I may never be able to drink "normal" coffee ever again. In fact, I fear it so much that I haven't had a cup since. Quite the feat, if you know me at all.

After La Grande, S and I hit up Merchant Square Antique Mall in Chandler {he actually left me there for two hours because I'm a slow shopper}. I picked up a vintage message board, embroidered cloth napkins, and a sweet collection of blue Ball Corp. glass jars with lids {they're more valuable with the lids} and I filled them with fresh flowers {peonies, suflowers, and daisies} from Trader Joe's.Add Image

It took a few nights to prime the chairs for color and just when I was debating on whether or not to go with yellow or cream, S suggested that we paint the chairs a more vibrant color.

With the seats covered and ready to rock...

I'm working on getting the chairs painted now, one at a time...



I hope everyone has a colorful week!

6.12.2009

TGIF


After a long week of diapers, bottles, scraped knees, and Lego towers, I'm ready for the weekend and some fresh air. I'm hoping to cram into one Saturday afternoon some quality S time, a bundle of errands, a hike up South Mountain, and to put a finish to the cheery chair project {one can eat only on the floor so many times before she wishes for a seat}. I also look forward to baking and tasting a new scone recipe. This week's breakfast:

Pineapple Scones
2 C all-purpose flour
1 T baking powder
1/4 t salt
1/4 C butter, chilled
3/4 C coconut milk
1/4 C honey
1 egg, beaten
1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
1 orange, zested

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a medium bowl, mix flower, baking powder, and salt. Cut in chilled butter until mixture resembles course crumbs.

In a small bowl, mix coconut milk, honey, and egg. Stir into the flour mixture. Fold in pineapple and orange zest.

Divide mixture into twelve round pieces and arrange in a single layer on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

Happy Weekend Everyone! Enjoy!

Cheery Chair Project Day 2

After walking around the fabric store for an hour and speaking with a fabric diva, I chose a pretty vintage yellow print {found in the nursery section} to cover the chairs. I also purchased a creamy 'black out' underlay to hide the hideous that lies beneath and a sturdy vinyl to top them off.



While the covering gets done today, the chairs sit and wait for their second coat of primer and then off to Lowe's for some color!


6.11.2009

Obsession

I just ordered, bid, and made offers on several different pieces of this stuff... Milk Glass. Isn't it gorgeous?

Milk Glass was first made in Venice in the 16th century in several different colors, the milky white color comes from the addition of tin dioxide to the glass itself in the blowing process. Pieces were made for the wealthy throughout the Gilded Age and they're known for their delicacy and beauty in their color and design. However, the term 'milk glass' is relatively recent.

The plates I purchased will hang in a cluster from ribbon on the west & east walls in my kitchen, replacing all of the decorative plates currently on display.

Cheery Chair Project Day 1

I decided to start with the kitchen and move into the family area, followed by the play area, guest bathroom, kids bedroom, and finishing with the master suite. Last night I started the first project of what will inevitably be many.

Dining room chairs. These chairs were a birthday gift from my parents five years ago. I think my mom found them in a resale shop. When I lifted the seats off and tore off the black and it-used-to-be white toile fabric I was used to sitting on, I was surprised to find at least three other layers underneath, all of which were absolutely hideous.

I completed the daunting task of sanding the chairs free of dried oatmeal, peanut butter & jelly, chewing gum, dried milk, and craft glue (Don't judge, I have three kids) and I smoothed them to the touch, readying them for primer.

I want the kitchen to be cheery and inviting. A place to drink coffee and do crossword puzzles, but also a place to host dinner parties. I wish I had enough room for a love seat and an end table.

I'm leaning toward creams and some very grown up citrus colors. Not the bright "pow" citrus colors that most think of, but not the citrus colors of the 70's either. I'd like to also hang additional shelving for my cookbook and apron collection, paint my wrought iron plate hanger, and get new plates.

Hopefully after a trip to JoAnn's fabric's this evening, I'll have a better direction... Wish me luck!

6.10.2009

Delish Dish

I must find a way to make chicken not chicken...

Thai Chicken Wrap with Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce

Chicken & Marinade:
3 (6 oz) chicken breasts
1 T soy sauce
1 T vegetable oil
1 T grill seasoning

Filling:
1 seedless cucumber, halved lengthwise and peeled, thinly sliced on an angle
2 C fresh bean sprouts
1 C shredded carrots
3 scallions, thinly sliced on an angle
12 basil leaves, torn or chopped
3 T mint leaves, torn or chopped (about 4 sprigs)
1 T sesame seeds
2 t sugar
2 T rice wine vinegar
Salt to taste

4 12" flour tortilla wraps (try Jalapeno if you're feeling adventurous)

Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce:
1/4 C room tempurature chunky peanut butter, microwave if it's been refridgerated
2 T soy sauce
1 T rice wine vinegar
1/4 t cayenne pepper
2 T vegetable oil

Heat a grill pan over high heat. Toss chicken with soy sauce, vegetable oil, and grill seasoning and grill 6 minutes on each side.

Combine cucumber, sprouts, carrots, scallions, basil, mint, sesame seeds, sugar, and rice wine vinegar. Season with salt to taste.

Whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and cayenne pepper. Stream in vegetable oil.

Thinly slice chicken on an angle and toss with veggies and herbs.

In a very hot non-stick skillet, heat tortillas on each side about 15 seconds.

Pile chicken and veggies in tortilla and drizzle generously with peanut sauce before rollling.

6.08.2009

Obsessions

I'll be the first to admit that I haven't taken very good care of my things in the past and I attribute most of that to the constant wear and tear of toddlers, but as time passes, the kids are getting older and aren't coloring on the sofa, placing stickers on the grout, and painting the carpet with nail polish as much as they used to. There's a big difference between 18 months and 3 years as far as being destructive goes.

However, that's all about to change. To create my vision of a new home, I have been doing a lot of vintage shopping online, mostly on Etsy, and getting a thousand ideas for what to do and where to shop and the goal is to create a cozy, inviting, warm (not that we need more warm) little corner for my family. A place to relax and entertain simultaneously. Hopefully after flipping through a few home decor magazines and finding what makes me smile in the world of vintage home decor, I'll be able to ditch the Craig's List look I currently have going.

Since I've been peeping around, I have discovered I have an cooky crazy love for owls. Yeah, I know. Hoo would have known!? Before this weird thing for owls, I had something for toile and before that, spoons. I have a feeling that owls will be the main focus of at least one room, perhaps my bathroom; because owls definitely belong in the bathroom. And in case you're wondering, there are cute owls...


there are not-so-cute owls...


and then there are the owls that I like...



Happy 'hoo'ting for your own owl collection!

Pretty Things

It's hard to believe that I had time to do much online shopping today, in fact, it's hard to believe that I had time to even breathe today! The instant I saw these little guys online {Tracy Porter}, my heart smiled as big as the sky. I must purchase these by next week. Aren't they just adorable?

Case of the Mondays


I wish I had amazing weekend tales to report, but I was stuck on the couch ailing from streptococcus {strep throat} and was put on a diet of Jell-o pudding snacks, yogurt, and Otter Pops. I was immediately grateful to have stumbled upon a website {I Can't Believe It's Vegan!} that declared a few Jell-o pudding flavors vegan. I couldn't remember the last time I had strep throat and I couldn't remember the last time I had a Jell-o pudding snack. I guess when one is overdue...

I hope everyone else has a fabulous, healthy week!

6.06.2009

Pretty Things


I am madly in love with these birds {from Elsewares}. I want them to twirl in my living room.