Occasional Sale Finds

Yesterday my oldest daughter and I went to a great town that hosts 15 occasional sales.  We thought we would be gone a few hours, and it turned into all day.  She's hooked.  She got a great farm style coffee table, an old crate and I forget what else.  She proudly marched her wares into her house discussing their price and uniqueness with her husband.  Me on the other hand did this......

Treasure Keeping a Low Profile

I left mine in the car to bring in this morning when I could be all alone with my thoughts.... and no guilt for buying stuff we didn't need.  Brawn never makes me feel guilty, it's just a natural occurrence as I totter on being a hoarder.

I got two baskets, a very heavy metal yellow bin and an apple cider jug that is actually for Halloween.  (More on that at the bottom).

I wasn't sure what I was going to do with any of it, except the cider jug, although it was too cute to just toss in with the fall decorations out of sight at this time of year, so I hung it on the wall for now.

Can't WAIT to use this jug (hear me cackle)

The yellow bin will probably go outside with flowers in it once spring gets here, but for now it is in the cedar porch holding some fake ones.  Just one of those sneaky tactics.... place the new found treasure in some unused space in the house, then when Brawn notices it say "oh I've had that for years".

Probably held toxic chemicals

I love the long basket and actually had several spots I wanted to use it, but opted for a bathroom.  Brawn will notice it, and hardly say much other than "you got a new basket".  No guilt for me.

  The only item I am not thrilled with once I got it home was the only item I thought I knew what I wanted to do with it.  The large basket didn't work out in either of the spots I hoped to hang it.  So for the sake of getting it off the floor (and out of view?) it is now on the pot rack holding pestles that I had just taken out of baskets hanging on the pot rack!  It was like double the work.  Until I get hit with some inspiration for that basket it will be hanging there collecting dust.

About the Apple Cider Jug

There is a wicked beverage that only comes out at our annual Halloween party called Apple Pie.  Some friends make it.  You can't taste the alcohol in it and it's swigged from a jug.  Lets just say I can't wait to add this jug to the swigg'in.

 

Linked up at:

Restyled Sundays @ StylishOnceAgain 

Newbie Party @ DebbieDoos 

Time to Shine Party @ A Diamond in the Stuff

Just Soap

I was cleaning in my bathroom and decided to share a product we use that I really like, but for all you bloggers with a house full of men - the guys around here like this stuff too.  Did you ever hear of anything so crazy as making soap by peddling a bicycle?  That's just how this soap business does it and if you go to their web site you can read all about the process.  They're called Just Soap from Massachusetts and they make the best smelling all natural organic soaps.  (Have my blogger friends on the East coast heard of them?)  Best smelling that is if your better half doesn't want to smell like girly stuff.  Just Soap has scents like Cinnamon Clove, Sage Fir, and my favorite the Almond.  They have oatmeal soap, balms, etc., all natural.  Shampoo bars.... and everything I have tried seems to last a long time.  I'm funny about stuff on my skin, I don't like the feel of lotions so they have to *feel* a certain way, and the same about other stuff like soap. 

 I order usually at Christmas - keep some and tuck some in gift baskets.  One year I tucked the lip balm's into everyone's stockings.  On their web page they also have "seconds" you can buy for a lower price.  The most popular scents at my house are the Cinnamon, the Sage and the Almond, but we have tried them all.  I put a new bar out when we have overnight guests and they always comment on it or ask where I got it.  Sometimes they say they like the color, for some it's the scent, and for me I like the organic feel of the bar itself.  They aren't smooth as a baby's bottom, but they lather nice.  These are the only soaps I've used in my shower for at least 3 years.  Now when we have a hotel stay I think hotel soaps smell funny.

OH, and the price?  They are only about $2.95 a bar, less if you buy more or get seconds.  $2.95 for a cool soap, that smells good and lasts a long time... I think that's a real fair price.

My palms were not greased with any money for this post.  It's my opinion and no one could pay me to say something I didn't agree with.  Well, maybe for a million dollars I would say I loved liver.  Beef council - call me.

DONE.. High Chair Chalk Paint Makeover

My      First      Chalk Paint       Makeover

This is a 30 year old high chair.  It has sat butts for 30 years, six of them.
It has now moved on to seating new royalty - "The Grands".  Two of 'em. 

It was bought new in the 80's when it was popular to buy furniture that looked antique.
We were so proud.
It is now a throne fit for the current Princess and all the future Royalty.

I was armed and ready for battle on my first experience with Annie Sloans chalk paint.  I ordered from Shades Of Amber a sponsor over at DebbieDoos.  There was a small problem with my order that was handled immediately, their customer service is TOP NOTCH!!!
(Honest review of ASCP at bottom)

French Linen & Old White

If you don't remember anything else about me, remember this..... I don't enjoy painting.  Especially stuff like this chair, with little cracks and crevices.

Under coat of French Linen

 Slapping on the French Linen, easy.

Free Willy

It covered the whale.... the remains of tub grips put on so little butts didn't slip out.  First I sanded to remove Princess's ramen noodles from the day before, and oatmeal I saved for old times sake, for about 12.....  years, not days.  Dried oatmeal is like glue.  I was worried when I got rid of it that the chair would fall apart.

Top Coat, Old White

No I didn't do this in the garage like normal people would do.  And now if you remember only one thing about Brawn remember this....... his garage is always used to saw.  And always a mess.  So to recap; Bliss hates to paint, Brawn's garage is a mess.

"Scribble Method" transfer process I used

"The Grands"

 Crown graphic from the Graphics Fairy

Tiara & Scepter ready for the Princess to take her seat

I forgot to take pictures of sanding and distressing and waxing.  That is probably because about that time I understood why they call it "chalk" paint.  It was like some crazy *old school* kids, about 100 of them, ran through my house cleaning their erasers.  Next time I will do this in the cold messy garage.

 

Linking up to:

Inspiration Friday At The Picket Fence

Furniture Friday @ Miss Mustard Seed

Potpourri Friday @ 2805 

Flaunt It Friday @ ChicOnAShoeString 

Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground 

Feathered Nest Fridays at French Country Cottage

Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home 

Saturday Nite Special @ Funk Junk Interiors  

Sunday Scoop at I heart Nap Time 

DIY Project Parade 

What's In the Sack @ The Gunny Sack 

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ CoastalCharm

My ASCP review.

I like the paint as far as paint goes (remember Bliss + paint = yuck).  What I really liked was it didn't stink.  I hate the smell of usual paint.  I love the wax.  I would use both again and I expect the ASCP will be my paint of choice.  It seemed to go far, should I ever want to paint and distress something again, I have plenty left to do so.  Brawn described the French Linen as gray.  The paint covers good, with no prep, BONUS, just like everyone says.  The extra steps at the end... of sanding, and waxing is well worth the effort.  I would rather sand than paint.  I hate painting, remember?  But I felt good with the results.  I can't sew either, and I want a cute little tuffett for all the future rear ends to sit upon.  I might just try sewing. 

Whimsical Wife Chocolate Caramels

In honor of the Whimsical Wife who is under the weather and could not do her Tasty Tuesday Party, I am posting a tasty tuesday treat.  Valentines Day is next Tuesday you know.  (Stop over and tell her to get well soon!).

 My daughter made this monkey.  He is sitting on the bathroom shelf.  (Get over the dust sitting there too).  He is see no evil.  The recipe I am going to post is so good it's evil.

So here's the deal..... I'm a caramel maker.  I've perfected the golden brown treat and the only time I make it is at Christmas.  Every year for Valentines Day I buy 6 cheap heart shaped boxes of chocolates, one for each of my kids.  The married ones have to share.  Most of the time no one likes half the stuff in the box.  I do it only because I always have.



Not this year. This Valentines Day I am making a treat that everyone loves (especially me-shhhh!).  Not regular caramel...chocolate caramels.  Not caramels dipped in chocolate (although that would be good, hmmmm?).  Yeah, so Bliss, what's so special about that?  Well what makes these ones special is they are awesome, that's what.  I've tried no less than 10 chocolate caramel recipes over the past few years.  None were right.  Even though of course all the ingred's are pretty similar.  These ones were just what I wanted them to taste like.  You know those little dark suckers at See's Candy?  (They used to be a nickle when I was a kid), well these caramels are a chewy version of those.  YUMM. 

So 'ya know, I'm not a food blogger, I'm a food eater.  I won't post the whole recipe here, you can click over to Epicurious yourself.   I've tested, tasted, and made them, and they have the Bliss Candy Azz seal of approval.  The only changes I made were that I didn't line my pan-just seemed like it over complicated it, I just gave the glass pan a light wipe of butter and cut them in the pan then take them out.  I also made half the batch with the salt the other without cause some of my kids don't appreciate the sweet salty thing going on.  All I can tell you is mine turned out excellent, just the right texture, right taste, it was all good.  **recipe says to cook to 255° this makes them on the harder side.  I cook mine to 250-252°, also I use Ghirardelli 60% cacao chocolate bars from the baking section.  You need 10 oz. which is 2 1/2 bars**

If Brawn was kidnapped by aliens and sent back to earth all messed up and he could then cook stuff like candy - he'd make these for Valentines Day.   But since I don't see any spaceships hovering I'm gonna make them for all of us myself.

They look exactly like this.
Make some, and send a few to the Whimsical Wife, chocolate cures all.

Painting & Me... we do not agree

I understand now why people have some machine that cuts out letters for them.  I was not put on this earth to paint, draw, trace or anything similar to those.  What started as a simple little project ended with my appreciation and acceptance that nothing in my house will ever have on it the lettering I love so much, made by my own two hands.  Unless there is a sticker for it.  That I can buy at the store.

Guest Bath Trash

Seed Sign has a home

But first, recall yesterday's post about my treasure (on the left) and the seed sign.  Both ended up in the guest bath.  I love my new little trash can, and the seed sign that never had a home was an easy fix, hang it with wire. 

Trash picked wood

OK, so back to this crafting stuff.... it started yesterday with the snowy trash attached wood scraps I pulled out of our garage trash.  I stained them, sanded them, spray painted them, and they were looking a bit Halloweenish.  So I painted and sanded them again.  At this point they are my friend.  They were good, especially considering they came out of the trash.  I was determined this project was not going to cost anything, and it didn't, we had everything laying around.  I saw some really really cute ones on burlap at the Junk Market yesterday - they were my inspiration.  I had no burlap.  Mine don't compare.  (In defense, the burlap would of helped with the stenciling issue).

I liked how the wood came out

And this part was ok too.....

Old Smith & Nobel window shade

But I do have an old shade.

If Smith & Nobel is giving out any prizes for best re-use of their old shades, then maybe I could win that.... on the idea to reuse them, cause the craft itself isn't gonna win any prizes. 

This part wasn't working

On to the letters.  What word to put on the little blocks of wood?  Hmmm.  Home?  Simple.  Cut up the old shade and use some tacks to attach it.   Great so far.  I'm feeling like a crafting queen.  These were suppose to be for my daughters mantel.  I'll probably make her some others though... on burlap.  So I trace the letters on from this stencil pack I have.  Sticky stencils?  Not what I expected.  Hmmm, ridges in the shade weave, that's a problem.  The paint, umm it bleeds and it doesn't really go on.  Fray the sides?  Those Smith & Nobel shades are guaranteed against fraying, and now I believe them.  My hand is NOT steady enough to paint - period.  I quit.  I looks MUCH better in the photo than it did in person.  So now what?  Stickers were created to do what folks?   STICK!  And by God I'm gonna let them do just that.  So I put the stickers on (said stencils on the package).  NO fuss no mess.  And that my friends is how they will stay.  I'm never using them again even though they say reusable.  I'm never attempting to paint letters again.  Well maybe.

  The stickers look soooooooo much better than my painting and tracing.  Pictures sort of fool your eye huh?  Maybe I shouldn't of told you.  It turned out cute enough for me to put on my mantel, just wasn't at all like I pictured for my daughter, or like the awesome ones we saw Saturday.  Basically I painted some wood, cut an old shade, and hammered some tacks.  Nothing to really pat myself on the back about!!

I can't believe I'm linking this up, but I am!
(Come on its stickers!! Should of titled it "No talent Required"
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Debbie Doo's Newbie Party
Knick of Time Tuesday
Tuesday's Treasures at MyUncommonSliceOfSuburbia
Also linking to:
A Diamond in the Stuff (cause this project really fits her blog name!)
and HEY, they are white too, so linking here:
 White Wednesdays @ Faded Charm
The Party @ Cherished BLISS (gotta join that!)
Look What I made Party @ Creations By Kara

Tomorrow & Yesterday

I had a busy three days.  Well, really only two, the 3rd day was all in my head.

Friday I used $60 worth of gift cards at Home Goods (and then that again in cash out of my pocket; what the he!! how did I spend so much and add it up so wrong?).

Daughter #1's mantel mirror

Saturday was a day of introductions, well my math is off again... 1 introduction, as I took my oldest daughter to a Junk Market trunk show and some antique stores.  She's hooked now.  One of my favorite blogs had a booth at the Junk Market show (yes THAT Junk Market of fame), and I didn't introduce myself to her because I was too busy drooling over all the stuff she brought.  

You'll have to read Chipping With Charm's review of the Junk Market trunk show here, because I was too shy to take my camera out of my purse.  She's got photos.  That and the fact Daughter #1 doesn't know I have a blog and she was by my side drooling.  She said I should start one, I just haven't told her I did. Maybe it's just a phase I'm going through and I'll be done blogging in a week.  Probably not.   While you are on Chippen's blog, play the Junkers version of Where's Waldo? and see if you can find my treasure tin can in her photos.

My treasure

So today, I spent finding a place for my new treasure, fixing my signature so it doesn't have a shadow anymore (don't ask how long that took me AND OMG IT'S NOT GONE I SEE IT, son of a bbb) locating a home for the yellow seed sign that came out of hiding during the mantel re-do, and making my plan for these pieces of crap wood. 

Yes that is snow and napkin stuck to the black piece, and glue stuck to the other.  I picked them out of the trash.  But it was our own garage trash.  These pieces of crap wood will hopefully be my craft project for tomorrow.  Rumor has it that the black one is from daughter #2's high school locker shelf.  I'm making something (hopefully) out of it for her big sisters mantel.  Then I will sneak over to her house, put it on her mantel 

and take a picture of it with her new mirror 

for the blog she doesn't know I have.  

Going to bed now, but first banging my head on the desk because that darn signature shadow is back.

Save Your Settings

Attention.... Attention.....fellow bloggers, followers and guests.....

Word verification is now off.  I AM SO SORRY!!!!  I was so careful when I set up the blog to NOT have word verification on.  But apparently I didn't click the save settings because it was on.  Some one finally told me, some brave soul must of knew I really didn't want it on, I won't kiss and tell who told me though!  FYI....  I didn't want you to have to go through the humiliation like me yesterday after the doc told me to loose a few pounds....  I come home comment on a blog and the word verification word it gives me???    PORKY!!!!  Isn't that mean?

The Brawn of the Operation Makes Beds

With Valentines Day coming (and my husbands birthday) I was inspired by a post on Miss Flibbertigibbet and how she gave Mr. Flibberti a nice photo of herself as a gift.

Brawn and I have been married for 30 years.  Blissful?  Well mostly yeah, but he's not getting a photo!  Brawn also happens to be one of the only two people in real life who know I have started a blog. 

I'm almost certain he doesn't really know what a blog is or how to find it on the web, he just knows I've been putting stuff on mantels, taking stuff off mantels, putting it back up again, taking pictures and staying up late. And that he's a been a bit neglected.  I'm gonna go to bed earlier tonight.

So in honor of the man who fetches me ladders and moves stuff around for me, all for the sake of the Bliss Ranch blog, I wanted to show you just a couple of the gazillion things Brawn has made for our home.  (Forget that he built the home too.)

I showed you the dining room furniture he made when I posted about gearing up for a country pine redo.  A few years ago when I wanted a new bed, being the cheap son of a gun he is, he said ok, I'll make you one.

OOOkkkaaaa then, can I have a dresser and nightstands too?  Sure.  I don't have those yet, but 25 years ago he did make the night stands we are still using.

It's hard to tell but the enlarged photos next to the bed are of our history..... one is the sign of the town he grew up in and the other is a California road sign from whence the raven haired beauty came.

If Bliss wants it, Brawn builds it

My Fairy Tale

The bedroom mantel is due for an accessories makeover, it's pretty dull, but I'm not up to it after the beginning of the week and the family room mantel re-do.  I also have a 3rd mantel in the game room, but you know..... I just decorate that one with dust.

My mom's Primer, with her coloring, sits on the mantel

At the base of our bed is a crochet bed cover that my mom made.  When I was a little tot- long before internet- that's how she spent her time.  She made three of them.  The detail is wonderful, so much texture with the raised nubbies.  And heavy..... if we ever had an intruder I could throw it at him and he'd be out cold.

My hunk of burning love letting our 3 youngest kids dress him like a pirate.

Arrrrr. I'm linked up at:
Time Travel Thursday @Brambleberry Cottage
Show & Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Potpourri Friday @ 2805
Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Feature Friday