Trash to Treasures

With the yard sale season on the horizon (whew hew-thanks for the reminder Jen), there are tons of make-over projects out there just waiting to be invisioned ( I mean spray painted....).

A few years ago, I began to "shop" my family. Yes, I invisioned my family's trash (uh hum, I mean my family's heritage items) as the treasures I needed to complete my home. My mom had several old pieces with great bones, my mother-in-law had an incredible piece, and my grandmother had some treasures as well. I'm going to show some of my favorites over the next month or so....these are the "after" pictures.

My absolute favorite is this sewing table that my grandmother used to love. Not only did she sew family projects, but she used her talent to serve the Lord (only the Lord knows all the "jewel bags" she sewed). The original was golden brown and the handles were the swirly type (not the pretty vintage ones, just the cheap ones). I painted the surface, added some vintage staining detail and sealed it (my youngest actually painted the legs by herself...my 3 year old that is). We love to talk about Grandma as we use it, which is often. Not only does the finished product match my decor (which means we can leave it out and enjoy it), but Grandma would have loved that we use it so much.

Snow Day

In addition to two amazing snowmen (Thanks Ter-Ter) and the fastest sled in town (Thanks Ryan), our family participated in the World Championship Pecan Cracking Contest. I was showing off some of my home making from this week.....shelling fresh pecans. I was excited to hear that my very own Grandfather had been a Pecan Cracking Expert. In fact, he and my Dad had Pecan Cracking Wars where a "Champion Pecan" would be forced upon another pecan until one of them cracked under the pressure. The remaining pecan would be the Champion and would remain thus until beaten by another pecan, who would then take the title of Champion (Yes, my Grandfather and Father crack pecans with their bare hands...). As of today, my Dad was the..."Pecan Cracking Champion of the World". What fun!
Our family has always taken pleasure in the simple things. We enjoy nature and worshipping God through all of his many gifts to us. It was so nice to laugh and talk (and shell pecans) with my family today. I am so thankful for the snow, for its beauty and for the simple gifts God has given us that make life rich and enjoyable.

Home "Making"

Doesn't everyone make home made bread in a strapless, velvet dress? If you are hungry for the home made Asiago bread....check it out here. My mother-in-law said it tasted like the asiago bread from the bread specialty store she frequents.

My girls love to cook and it has been so amazing to watch them. Last night, they baked home made (well the crust was store bought...for 40 cents) TACO PIZZA. They rolled the dough, added leftover salsa, seasoned taco meat, mexican cheese and some Taco Bell sauce packets leftover in the fridge. For good measure, we dipped the finished product in sour cream! Not only were they proud, but it was good.

Home "Making"

Upon the advice of my friend, Breezy, I gave the girls their first sewing box. It was complete with all the necessities, needles included...and they were thrilled. After I carefully taught my five year old to thread the needle, stitch from the back, add a bead in the center of a flower etc...my three year old asked for her turn. I prepared to repeat the lesson when she informed me that she could do it herself, and she did.

This is a great gift both because they love it and because it will nurture the art, the thrill of creating, and the love of home making that I want for my girls. While they were sewing today, I sat their plates of cookies and a glass of milk on the table for them to enjoy as a special treat. Neither of them looked up from their work. After a moment or two (the completion of a thought), they looked over, graciously took a bite and offered a thank you. These are precious moments. My Prayer: Oh God, please romance the heart of my children for your kingdom.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a

workman that needeth not to be ashamed......II Tim. 2:15

I hope you are having a wonderful Valentines Day. We have the day set aside for all kinds of Family Fun. Check out my favorite Valentine's Day story.

Fun News-The girls got THREE new rabbits this past week (male rabbits), and we already had two female ones. The rabbits run free in our fenced in back yard, so I absolutely love them. The one pictured above is "Puzzle Piece". On a sunny day, they will stretch out underneath the trees and lounge....

Leah

For those of you who are always looking for great resources, I thought I should share a new one we just got for the girls'.

The 100 Bible Heroes book is an awesome suppliment to our Bible study. The book comes with two cd's of songs. The short-to-the-point stories are of 100 Bible Heroes, then the songs corresponds with the Scripture from that story. The girls are excited each morning to "do a new song" with their Bible Lesson. We play the song, on repeat, while we color a picture that I print off for them. These songs are great (they are repeating Scripture) and the catchy tunes keep the girls excited. Thanks Aunt Emily for the best Christmas present EVER!

The Coupon Queen and her GIFT CARD

Not only were our candy bars free, they actually PAID my child to shop....Yes, after the cashier scanned the items and the coupons, she looked at the "Coupon Queen" and said...."this has never happened before, it appears we OWE YOU money". The manager was actually called over to complete the checkout...a giftcard to my Coupon Queen for the overage! She was quite proud of herself, and once we were in the car I commented on her being the "Coupon Queen" (she had worn that crown all day and it had nothing to do with shopping until now). She smiled and said..."but I'm not the real Coupon Queen" (I immediately began to swell with pride, knowing that she would probably hail me as the real coupon queen and I would graciously accept the honor!)...she proceeded...."Angela is the REAL coupon queen". UGH! Oh well, it's true. So, check out the real coupon queen, and tell her I sent you!


BTW-Here are some of the items we got FREE just this past week.... 6 Hershey bars, 2 Reece's bars, make-up, 4 tubes of toothpaste, bath soap for the girls, Frank's red hot buffalo sauce, Ken's Spritzers (spray salad dressing), and so much more for dirt cheap (the only way to shop).


For more information about how I shop, see this previous post.