TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS # 33

The blogs are so full of of  L-O-V-E theses days!

With Valentines Day just around the corner TTT is a great place to find wonderful Valentines Day projects... and other creative tutorials, tips and tidbits too!

Here are just a few...

Isn't this so clever! VALENTINE WORD HEART from PURPLE HUES AND ME. It's word art made easy... and very chic! AWESOME tutorial!

We all love home tours! INSPIRED LIVING'S HOME TOUR... AGAIN was the most popular post last week! Lots of great ideas here!

How about giving some LOVE FROM THE OVEN for Valentine's Day? This festively decorated banana chocolate chip mini loaf comes from ECHOS OF LAUGHTER... with love!

At FOREVER DECORATION there has been a lot a decorating going on! In fact, a whole lot of decorating.. this KITCHEN MAKEOVER is a must see. Gorgeous!

This is a brilliant, and soooo pretty idea from SHAKEN TOGETHER to ORGANIZE CORDS WITH WASH TAPE. They won't look all the same anymore!

I'm going to ask Bobby to make a caddy like the pretty one from MY LOVE 2 CREATE. What a great DYI CADDY TUTORIAL.  If all goes well, I'll ask him to make a dozen more... for our upcoming backyard Wedding Reception!

How about serving up scrumptious FRENCH TOAST STUFFED WITH STRAWBERRIES AND GUAVA for Valentine's morning!  This YUMMINESS is from ROSEMARY AND THYME.

It's amazing what a pretty SLIPCOVER can do! Just look at this stylish slipcovered chair from HOME DRESSING. The fabric is stunning!

It's getting cold here at StoneGable. We had a little peek of early spring, but winter is back.  I sure could use a NO SEW FLEECE fleece scarf like this from CREATIVE IDEAS!

My offering this week is a tidbit... PAINTING A PEDESTAL TABLE. I'm working on making my family room a little lighter.

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PAINTING A PEDESTAL TABLE

Are you tired of hearing me drone on and on about needing more light in my family room?  

My grand plan includes taking out the windows and putting in several glass doors... ripping up the carpet  (only 4 years old)... and painting this space a lighter color. This will all probably be finished when pigs fly! I am always years ahead of the actual project!

But, please don't tell Bobby yet... he is still working on the dining room! He doesn't need to think that far ahead... that's my job!  So for now I am painting the furniture ...

Here is the before...

 it was taken in the evening a good while ago... before the cat and dog, in a friendly wrestling match, knocked over the table and sent my favorite lamp crashing to the floor in pieces! I have been looking for over a year for another just like it... and I can't find one... yet!

Back to the table... the detail is lost in the dark wood.

Here is how it looks now...

I think the new color shows off the pedestal detail...

I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is Pure White and lightly sanded and antiqued it with Clear and Dark Wax and then did a little dry brushing with ASCP Pure White.

This is Bobby's "office". He comes home and does work in this chair. The table is sorta his desk.  

 After seeing patients all day and attending to tons of faxes, files and phone calls, I think he wants nothing to do with a desk! The leather chair and table work as a cozy after-hours place to work.

THE FIND

I'm not a hunter/gatherer! You know, those tenacious folks that pick and plough through piles of "stuff" to find that one special "thing"... who get up at 4 am. in zero degree weather and wait for a good garage sale to open... the resolute rank-and-file who drive hundreds of miles looking for AND finding loot to stuff in the back of their cars, van or trucks.

 Those are the people who love the hunt! Bless their determined little hearts... those are not my people!

I'm more of a "saunter through" kinda gal! I usually shop locally and can find all kinds of goodies, but...



they most often stay on their shelves or in their piles and don't come home with me.  I am a... "why, I have a few extra minutes so I think I'll pop in" person... or a "that place looks interesting and the big welcome sign is beckoning me in" girl.  I usually look and touch but do not buy.

Once in awhile, I'll come across what I call... THE FIND!

Recently on a trip to restock Annie Sloan Chalk Paints, I came across a FIND!  I spied it peeking out from a room of furniture and furbelows that had just recently come into the shop.

Not yet priced, I inquired about it and told the shopkeeper to hold it for me.  I knew it's home was at StoneGable!

This chippy, worn tiered tray is quite large and heavy! I'm thinking I'll use it on my dining room buffet or big living room coffee table.. when we get those rooms done!

It's ample tray space will be well used, I'm sure! I can just see it on a buffet filled with desserts or sandwiches or used as a coffee/tea bar!

Or piled with magazines or pumpkins!

The handle at the top is doubled so that a piece of thick paper could be stuck between the handle, sorta like a place card. This will come in handy as I'll use it to serve something at the country wedding reception we are hosting here at StoneGable for my son and his by-then-bride.

It's a handmade piece... I'm pretty sure I'll not find another one like it. Good construction.
I was thinking of trying to replicate it. This would be a joint effort... Bobby and I will maybe give it a go!

Bringing home THE FIND is always a thrill! My favorite pieces are those that tell me they belong at StoneGable... that easily work their way into my heart and into my daily life! 

ON THE MENU MONDAY~ WEEK OF JAN 28, 2013

Let's talk turkey... okay, maybe not turkey... let's talk food! I am a real honest-to-goodness foodie. There is really no test to take that tells you are a foodie. Here's how I know I am...

  I read cookbooks like romance novels, love to go to specialty food stores and try new things, my longest phone conversations are about recipes and food (except to my children and Donna), all the workers at Williams-Sonoma know me by name, many of my friends get pretty excited to come and have dinner at our house and I always feel like I am doing something so good for my family when I am cooking!

Do I love to cook everyday... heavens, no! Do I cook everyday... no, but most days I do. 

Even if your passions don't find themselves satisfied in the kitchen, cooking can be enjoyable. Crank up the music you love best. Read the recipe at least once thoroughly, gather up all your ingredients and conjure up your inner Julia Child... or Martha Stewart... or Ina Garten!

NOW, HERE'S WHAT'S ON THE MENU...

MONDAY

EGG DROP SOUP

BEEF AND BROCCOLI

Edamame Pods with Soy Sauce

Rice

TUESDAY

ROASTED SALMON WITH GREEN HERBS

MASHED CAULIFLOWER

ARUGULA SALAD WITH SHAVED PARMESAN AND PINE NUTS

WEDNESDAY

CHICKEN PARISIAN

SAUTEED RICE

SPINACH SALAD

THURSDAY

PERFECT ROAST CHICKEN

Mashed Potatoes

Roast Carrots

FRIDAY~ SLOW COOKER DAY~ COMPANY'S COMING

QUESO DIP And Nachos

JIM'S AWARD WINNING SMOKY SLOW COOKER CHILI

SWEET BUTTERMILK CORNBREAD

MEXICAN EXPLOSION SALAD

MEXICAN TRAIN FLAN WITH KAHLUA

SATURDAY~ SOUP DAY

Nani's  Vegetable Soup

Grilled Cheese Sticks

SUNDAY~ SOUP DAY II

CREAMY CABBAGE AND DOUBLE SMOKED BACON SOUP

This weeks features should come with a warning: 

VIEW WITH CAUTION: MAY CAUSE EXTREME HUNGER!

We are pasta lovers, here at StoneGable. And we also love Vodka sauce. 

Just look at this hearty and beautiful homemade VODKA SAUCE from SEE AIMEE COOK!

Okay, if you have been following me for any length of time you know my affinity for Mexican food! Ole'. When I saw TACO CHICKEN from QUEEN OF SAVINGS I was fixated, because Doritos are my very very very favorite. (No judging!) I cannot have them in my house or even get near them! How Kristen Bell feels about sloths is the same way I feel about Doritos! See the hysterical video by clicking HERE. I am saving this recipe for a special treat for me... it will probably make me cry, too!

ITALIAN SPINACH AND CREPE MANICOTTI just looks scrumptious. Italian food is another food I am weak kneed for!!! This wonderful, company worthy main dish comes form HALF BAKED HARVEST.

These are not your mothers deviled eggs. I am usually a deviled egg purist, but these CRAB AND CHIPOTLE AIOLI DEVILED EGGS from STEAKANDPOTATOESKINDAGRUL just might change my mind!  These would be fabulous as an appetizer!

Sorry Girl Scouts, we know your secret... The secret to making those world famous THIN MINTS we all love and hoard in our freezers! And it's all thanks to April at DIMPLES AND DELIGHTS! Yea, for April!

I'm making BEEF AND BROCCOLI this week... next time I need to try this recipe from RITA'S RECIPES! Made in a slow cooker, this easy recipe looks delicious!!!!

DUCK BREAST WITH PORT WINE REDUCTION is on my must-try list! We have lots of duck lovers in my family. THE COOK'S SISTER 's recipe sounds very elegant and scrumptious!

LEMONADE BROWNIES  from A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING  really got my attention! They look moist and dense and even have a lemon glaze drizzled over the top! I bet they would freeze well too... to always have a sweet treat on hand!

This week's featured menu comes from... PREPARED TO EAT. Jamie is one very organized mom of four that know the importance of serving good and delicious food!!! Kudos to you, Jamie!

NOW WHAT'S ON YOUR MENU...

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MENU PLAN MONDAY

SUNDAY SCRIPTURE~ WHAT IS THE MESSIAH?

As a Christian, it is very important to me to have a deep understanding of the "Christian" or biblical words that are part of my every day faith.

Words like... faith, belief, worship, glory, repentance, hope, redemption, propitiation, pray, salvation, sanctification and  grace... just to name a few.

No word is more important to understand than the word 

MESSIAH...

From the time I was a small child until well into my adult years I didn't know what the word Christ meant.  When I was young I thought that Christ must be Jesus' last name.... you know, Jesus Christ.  

It wasn't until I got serious about really knowing the meanings of the Christian words that roll off my tongue so easily that the word "Christ" became alive with value and significance. 

I hope you are asking, "I thought you were going to talk about the word Messiah?".  Great question!

The word Messiah is a Hebrew word... and ancient word. 

The word Christ is a Greek word...old, but not as ancient.

The two words are synonymous!  

Most of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew... and the New Testament was written in Greek.

The word Messiah and Christ... mean "anointed one".

So Jesus Christ, means "Jesus the anointed One".

Let's turn to the word Messiah... "anointed one". 

In ancient times sacred oil would be poured over a person's head if God had a special task for them to to. The task was usually to be a king. Sometimes priests and prophets were also anointed, but anointing was primarily reserved for kings.

Oil was poured out of an animal's horn literally covering the anointed's head, flowing all over him.

In ancient times, during a coronation a king was anointed with oil instead of being given a crown. 

In the bible we can see God's prophet Samuel anointing both Saul and David as kings of Israel.

I especially love the story of King David's anointing! God tells Samuel, the prophet to... 

"Fill your horn with oil, and go: I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons" 1 Samuel 16:1

So Samuel obeys God and goes to Bethlehem, the home town of Jesse.  He see Jesse's son Elieb and thinks...

"Surely, the Lord's anointed is before Him." 1 Sam16 :6

But God says...

 "Do not look at his appearance or at his height or at his stature, because I have rejected him: for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart". 1 Samuel 7

Seven of Jesse's son's parade in front of Samuel and God rejects them all.

Samuel asks Jesse if he has any more sons... and Jesse says... yes. He has a son out tending the sheep~ a very lowly job. Surely his youngest son, a shepherd, could never be God's choice... 

So, Jesse's youngest son David is brought before Samuel and God says...

"Arise, anoint him, for this is he" 1 Sam 16: 13 

Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward".  1 Sam 16: 13

David was a great king... a human king... but a great king!  However, the Jews were waiting for another king. The One that was prophesied to come.  A promised king!

The Jews were waiting for a Messiah, an anointed king chosen by God for a special task. 

And what was that task? To save His people. But not only His people the Jews, but all people.  This Messiah would not only save His people  from the grip of bondage of other nations... but all people, who choose Him as their King. He would save them from the grip of sin and death!

This One... anointed by God for a special task has come... he also was from Bethlehem and was an ancestor of great king David...He is called a shepherd, too. The Good Shepherd!

 this king is...

Jesus the Messiah!  Jesus Christ!

Jesus "the anointed king"!

The next time you hear the word Messiah or Christ I hope you will say to yourself... "The anointed king"! And bow before the Him!

Amen!

PAINTING A CHALKBOARD

Don't you love chalkboards? Being a former teacher, I sure do! So, when I found this mirror-turned-chalkboard I was thrilled! It's big and bulky and very heavy and perfect in every way... but it was the wrong color! 

So I painted it...

Here is the before... it really is a luscious color... but not right for StoneGable.

And here's the chalkboard with it's new color...

Much better with my decor. The chalkboard is hung right where my family room and breakfast room area meet. Really the whole area is one big space.

The chalkboard was painted with Annie Sloan Chalk in Pure White. I prefer the pure white over the old white in my home. 

It was given a light antiquing to bring out the pretty detail. I did not sand off any paint. This is not a "chippy" piece.

Let me know if you are interested in learning an easy way to use the Annie Sloan Dark Wax to achieve a very light antiquing. 

I learned a very valuable lesson while I was painting this piece.... I taped off the chalkboard so I could paint the frame around it and when I removed the paint much of the chalkboard paint came off with it.

What a mess. 

I had to sand the lifted areas and repaint them with chalkboard paint... again.

I'm looking forward to writing menus... love notes... seasonal quotes and all kinds of "fun stuff"!

Now I just have to wait for the chalk inks I ordered!

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