Kitchen Table

After revamping the armoire, I thought I better renew the kitchen table.

Before

After

The table runner was on clearance at Target for $3.98, the placemats were $0.98. The flowers were provided by Maddie Designs.                                                                                                                                           

Here is another recent makeover. I did this before I started the blog, so I do not have any before pictures. The chair was black and the seat had a dark floral fabric on it.

I call this the "Retro chair".

Have a good weekend!

More Veggies!

    I love sunflowers! These were from my neighbor's garden. This is the first year I have ever had a garden, I'm very excited. My last garden post only had a handful of veggies. However, today there was an explosion. The girls and I picked thirteen cucumbers , three zucchini, weird shaped squash, few cherry tomatoes and banana peppers. There are so many green beans that I can't keep up. The thought of the tomatoes all coming in terrifies me. My mom and I went to a garden center early this summer. I sent her to pick the tomato plants, because I didn't know what I was doing. My dad helped me plant them. When he reached plant twenty-four he said, "Jess do you realize how many tomato plants you have?" I told him to continue planting, now I have thirty plants (enough to feed the whole town). I plan on making pasta sauce and salsa (so if you personally know me, guess what you're getting for Christmas).  Here are some pictures from today.                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Here is a sneak preview of the the kitchen table for tomorrow.

Have a good evening!

Bread!

   I have a fascination with bread. I find it to be amazingly beautiful with the different textures, shapes, crustiness and the natural designs it makes when baked.  I'm talking about artisan breads of course, not Wonder bread. Baguettes, ciabatta, focaccia to name a few, some times they just take my breath away. I watch most cooking shows about bread. I've always been terrified to make it, until recently when I found the best cook book ever. "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day", written by Jeff Hertzberg, MD., and Zoe Francois, they have made bread making so simple. I guarantee once you start baking you wont stop. There is a basic recipe for "Boule" bread, it only requires four ingredients. There is no kneading involved, quickly mix all of the ingredients and you're done. Let it rise a couple hours then your ready to go for two weeks, no need to punch it down and rise again. The authors suggest limited handling of the dough, for better bread.  Also, the longer the dough sits in the refrigerator the bread tastes better.  I made some of the  "Olive Oil Dough" today, it's just as simple as "Boule" bread.  Here is the baguette I made.

These are the only ingredients.

You do not have to have a stand mixer, you can mix it by hand.

Use a hook attachment ( if your ex-husband didn't get it in the divorce).

Well, it doesn't look like a baguette exactly.

                                                   


If you're interested in making artisan bread, Barnes and Noble has the hardcover listed for $17.71. Also, if you love bread just as much I do, go to Poilane. This bakery in France has gorgeous decorator bread. When you visit the site click the "English" tab to the left. Next, click "Bakery Goods", then click "Bread".  This site is just fun to look at, you can buy if you'd like.

In the Garden

   Hello Everyone. Sorry that it has been a few days since the last posting. I was working, then I was just plain worn out. Tonight I have a few pictures from earlier today in the garden. The girls were busy picking veggies, especially Maddie. Tomorrow, I'll be making artisan bread from my new favorite cook book. Also, I've gotten motivated to paint the kitchen table to match the armoire. Hopefully, I'll be finished with that to show you. Hope you had a good weekend.

It's a jungle in there.

My overgrown garden.

Tomatoes!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great week! See you tomorrow!

Improved Armoire!

Here is the newly improved Armoire!

Before

After

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I bought all the containers, paint and knobs at Lowes.

Paint-$ 25/gal (I only used half)

Orange Containers 3pk-$4.95

Green/Clear Containers 10piece pk-$9.95

Green Crates-$4.95 each

Knobs-$0.89each
Galvanized Bucket-$7.95

The puzzles holder was from a yard sale $5.00. The large orange basket I already had, but you can purchase it from The Land of Nod.  I also used chalkboard paint for the labels (I think I paid $12.95, it will last many projects).      If you use chalkboard paint , make sure you tape well and a razor is helpful.


                                                                                                                            

 

 

 

 I am very happy with the end result. The one knob is still higher than the other, but nothing in life is perfect. I tossed many things we didn't need, so that left room for toy storage. The biggest challenge now, is keeping it this way!!!                                                                                                                                                                                

Thrifty Finds

  While driving to work this past weekend, I passed a home having a yard sale. I spotted the cutest thing. A little Teepee! I called my mother and sent her to pick it up. The teepee was only $5, I was ecstatic. I had the pattern and the fabric to make one, now I didn't have to bother with the task.

Mother also found this chicken cookie jar for $1. I plan to display it on the self in the kitchen.

 Tomorrow is the armoire reveal, it's coming along quite nicely. Have a good evening!

The New Bra

  
    I was telling a friend this story last night, so I thought I'd share it with you. A few weeks ago I decided it was time to buy a new bra. The one-and-only bra I own, should have retired a very long time ago.   The the first wire came out  about one year ago,  so I adjusted the opposite strap higher. This way the girls would appear even. A few months later the other wire poked me in the face while driving, so I just pulled it all the way out. We seemed to be able to continue working together, like partners in crime. After washing the bra repeatedly, the sides began to wear so thin that giant holes developed. The day came when I looked into the mirror and realized, I  looked like an ox with breasts hanging down to her waist. You might say to yourself, Jess why didn't you just go buy a new bra.  I'm a single mother who doesn't receive child support, so a bra becomes an absolute luxury. Not until the day I had the "ox moment", did I realize that it had become a necessity.
  I excitedly went to Target to choose the new bra. I felt like I was buying a new Ferrari. I glanced over all of them, until I found the sturdy models. I thought I better buy white, and one that could handle over a thousand washings. One for $20 popped out at me, it seemed like a lot of money. I had a feeling we were meant to be together, so I took the plunge and bought it.
  When I arrived home, I rushed into the bathroom to try it on. I ripped the tags off and tossed them aside. When I put the bra on it felt different. I can't explain it, just different. I thought maybe it was due to wearing a really stretched out bra for so long. I just didn't know. I went about me business for the day. That evening when I went back into the bathroom to get ready for bed, I looked down at the tags on the floor. There was a strange picture. I picked up the tag and saw a women holding a baby. I BOUGHT A NURSING BRA!