Fall Table Setting in Orange, Black & White

September 19, 2019 By Linda Leave a Comment

Fall Table Setting in Orange, Black & White – Thanksgiving Table Setting Ideas.

Fall Table Setting in Orange, Black & White - Black White Striped Table Runner - Pumpkins, Orange Napkins, White Plates, Gold Flatware

I’ve spent the past year or so de-saturating my house. Stripping it of contrast and color.

I’ve said goodbye to the navy walls (which I loved, by the way) and hello to a soothing gray/greige.

I’ve made dozens of envelope pillow colors in various shades of gray, greige & white (see tutorial here).

The bold navy & blue rug was replaced with a natural jute.

And while I’m loving this more calming, brighter neutral palate inside …

I sometimes find myself craving a little color.

And contrast.

And orange!

I mean, if you’ve been around from the beginning it all sorta started with orange when I slathered my son’s favorite color all over his bedroom walls (remember that post from 2012 which you can find here …)

As an aside, those photos make me cringe! If I do say so myself, the quality of my photography has greatly improved over those 7+ years.

So what better way — and what better time of year — to have my cake and eat it too with a celebration of Fall …

with a Fall table setting in orange, black & white!

I mean, Fall is all about the color. And the contrast.

My apologies for the 10,000 photos in this post! I just kept re-shooting the table at different times of the day to capture the right colors.

And contrast! 🙂

P.S. I feel like I missed a funny punny opportunity to play off the whole orange is the new black thing in this post!

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Fabric Pumpkins

September 17, 2019 By Linda 4 Comments

Fabric Pumpkins – Neutral Gray, White Stuffed Pumpkin DIY.

Fabric Pumpkins -Stuffed Pumpkins - DIY Fabric Pumpkins - How To Make Fabric Stuffed Pumpkins

Dear Michaels and JoAnn’s Fabric and Craft Stores,

I would like to extend my deepest apologies. Especially when you see a sudden and shocking drop in sales at your Clark Street (Michaels) and Elston (JoAnn’s) stores in Chicago.

You see, I’m on a mission to craft with what I (mostly) have. Because I’ve (mostly) gathered lots and lots of craft supplies over the years. From both of you. But, sadly, too many of those supplies that have remained dormant for years and years and years (as I explained here).

So when made that lofty statement a few weeks ago about how I’m going to refrain from running to the craft stores and first see what’s in my current stash of craft stuff, I figured I was setting myself up for an epic fail.

I mean, we are entering the height of craft and decorating season. Surely I would abandon that manifesto the first time I walked into Michaels and/or JoAnn’s and caught sight of all those fun, seasonal crafting goodies!

I mean, it assaults you the minute you walk in the door!

But I’ve been putting my blinders on. Aside from a quick peek at the dollar section, I traverse Michaels like a woman on a mission …

a mission to not buy anything that is NOT on the list.

To make this patch of fabric pumpkins, I had the fabric and burlap and thread and embroidery needle and thread left over from other projects (or potential projects that never quite came to be). But …. I did need to pick up one thing.

Batting.

I first toyed with deconstructing an out-of-use pillow from down in the basement to keep this project craft store shopping free. But I wasn’t sure what kind of batting (or what, for that matter) I would find inside those basement pillow.

Annnnnnd … I did have a 40% off coupon at Michaels. So it only cost me about $3.99.

Score!

Fabric Pumpkins -Gray White Fabric Stuffed Pumpkins - DIY Fabric Pumpkins - How To Make Fabric Stuffed Pumpkins

Not too shabby a price for this fun and easy(ish) to make fabric pumpkin patch!

How To Make Fabric Pumpkins Tutorial

How To Make Fabric Stuffed Pumpkins - Gray White Greige Fabric Pumpkins DIY

Start with a length of fabric (mine measures 7″ x 14″). Rule of thumb is length should be double the width. Iron out wrinkles.

Fold in half and pin right sides together.

Sew using a 1/4″ seam.

Press seam open.

Thread a large eyed needle (also known as needlepoint needle) with embroidery thread. I actually used string my daughter had to make friendship bracelets.

You’re not sewing the two halves together but instead making spaced out stitches all along the top opening.

Like so.

Then pull the thread to gather the fabric.

Like so.

Use the needle to stitch the two sides together. I gave it multiple stitches in multiple directions. Don’t worry about it looking messy.

Turn it inside out so that the good side of the fabric is on the outside now.

Add stuffing. Pack it pretty full, but leave about 1/4 of fabric on top edge.

Like with the bottom, use the embroidery needle and thread to make large stitches and gather the fabric as you go along.

Like so.

Use the embroidery needle and thread to stitch the top closed.

Now you’re going to take the needle and thread and stick it through the center of the pumpkin, and out the center of the bottom of the pumpkin. (Make sure you create a knot at the end of your thread).

I actually used pliers to pull the needle out of the bottom of the pumpkin.

Now you’ll take the string on the outside of the pumpkin and thread it through the top to the bottom again. Pull tight.

Repeat this process seven more times (giving you 8 pumpkin “slices” separated by thread). I first made two halves of the pumpkin. Then made even quarters. And finished with eighths.

Like so.

For the stem, I cut a length of burlap that measured a 1″ x 12.”

Roll tightly together.

Add hot glue to the end and press (be careful not to burn your fingers like I did!).

I also did some trimming of errant threads and to make sure the length worked for the pumpkin.

Fix the stem in place with hot glue.

Like so.

Rinse and repeat! 🙂

The smallest pumpkins used 5″ x 10″ lengths. The largest used 10″ x 20″ lengths.

I know sewing tutorials can be tough in picture form, but you can find a fabulous video tutorial at this link — though I skipped the whole cutting the fabric on the bias part.

Now I’m going to pat myself on the back for completing two projects using my fabric and craft supply stash! 🙂

Pin It!

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Sweet Potato Fries

September 10, 2019 By Linda 2 Comments

Sweet Potato Fries – Easy Recipe for Sweet Potato Fries.

Sweet Potato Fries - Recipe on how to make Sweet Potato Fries.

This past year has been all about the sweet potato. We can’t get enough.

And when I say we, I mean my daughter and I. The boys are not quite so enthused.

Before last September, sweet potatoes only made an appearance at Thanksgiving. In my mother’s candied sweet potato recipe slathered in so much butter and brown sugar to negate any and all health benefits of eating a vegetable.

But then …

well …

It all started with an eating disorder.

Thankfully my daughter recognized the problem and was open to help.

We both entered therapy … separately and together.

Part of my solo sessions revolved around how best I could encourage her to eat without nagging. Or pestering. Or monitoring what she ate.

It was a challenge.

But she was at least open to eating a healthy dinner, which was the one meal of the day I could control (for want of a better word).

But it needed to be simple. Homemade. Not too many ingredients. No hidden oils. Or fats. Or sauces. She needed to see an understand how it was made.

And that’s how we landed on the sweet potato fry.

I had purchased a plant based diet e-book earlier that summer and in it was a very simple sweet potato fry recipe.

So I made some for myself … and encouraged my daughter to try them too.

And she like them. A lot. So a we created a weekly meal that paired grilled chicken with a very generous portion of sweet potato fries, with a side of my homemade hummus.

This is her most asked for dinner. In fact, I peeled and sliced so many sweet potatoes over the past year that I have a permanent callous on my index finger from holding the knife!

Print Recipe

Sweet Potato Fries

Course: Side Dish

Ingredients

2 medium-large sweet potatoes
1 TBSP corn starch
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp paprika (optional)
1/2 tsp chopped cilantro (optional)
1/2 tsp sea salt
parchment paper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425.
Peel sweet potatoes and cut into 1/4" fries.
Put sweet potatoes in Ziploc bag. Add corn starch, garlic powder and onion powder. Shake bag to mix together.
Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Lay out fries in a single layer on parchment paper. Make sure they aren't touching one another.
Cook for 30-40 minutes, turning over once half way through.
Remove from oven. Sprinkle with salt, paprika (optional) and cilantro (optional).

P.S. I’m very proud of how hard my daughter has worked over this past year to get herself into a much healthier place! She’s good. She’s strong. She’s positive. She’s confident. And she’s excited about her first year of college in Colorado!

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September in the City

September 7, 2019 By Linda 13 Comments

This is my first entry in a multi-blogger cozy living series where we share what we love about each month of the year on the first Saturday of that month, organized by Jennifer at Town & Country Living.

Have you ever watched Miss Congeniality? It’s a movie from 2000 that stars Sandra Bullock and Benjamin Bratt (remember he was the next big thing?) and William Shatner and Candace Bergen.

It’s a cute movie, but there’s one scene in particular I love. We’re on stage at a beauty pageant (hence the Miss Congeniality title) and William Shatner’s character, serving as master of ceremony, asks Miss Rhode Island to “describe your perfect date.”

She responds, “that’s a tough one. I’d have to say April 25, because it’s not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket. ”

I laughed out loud.

So what does Miss Congeniality have to do with September in the City? I can hear you asking.

Well, if I was up on that stage representing New Jersey (because I lived in NJ during my potential beauty pageant days), I would most definitely have picked a day in September as my “perfect date.” 🙂

It’s not too hot, not too cold. All you need is a light jacket.

In addition to the not-too-hot-not-too-cold perfect date weather, September holds a special place in my heart.

My daughter was born this month.

Which is a perfect start to life, because to me September has always been about new beginnings. New possibilities. A fresh start. A second chance.

So much more so than any old New Year’s Day!

I mean who can envision news possibilities with a foot of snow on the ground and two months of gray, cold days on the horizon?

But September? In September you can reinvent yourself. New hair. New shoes. New clothes …

a new school year!

I know, I know I’m not going back to school. That was decades ago. But after 12 years of back-to-school in September in our formative years — plus another four in college — it’s hard to shake that back-to-school feeling.

I mean, you can just smell it in the air!

This September is the first year my children are no longer in the Chicago Public School System …

and honestly, I’m mourning the loss!

A favorite memory is walking the kids to school each morning.

In my mind’s eye, all was orderly and calm. But in reality, it was typically a chaotic race to get out the door in time!

Dragging drowsy kids out of bed.

Packing up lunches as the kids ate breakfast.

Brushing teeth.

Getting dressed.

Finding shoes.

Locating lost homework.

Getting the leash on the pup.

And yet, I miss all that morning chaos!

On Labor Day, with camera in hand, I took a nostalgic walk along the path my children once walked together to their elementary school. My mission was to document the places and spaces I frequented for 13 years …

and perhaps, along the way, capture some of that September new school, new possibilities excitement!

Oh, and I chose Labor Day for my picture taking excursion because, let’s face it, showing up to take pictures of an elementary school after Labor Day when you don’t have a child attending that school is … well … creepy. 😉

This red door is where it all started. That first day of Kindergarten. Sam in his navy & white “uniform.” Playing with 2-year-old Molly on the playground until the first bell rang. And then lining up with his new classmates for the first day of Kindergarten with Mrs. Price.

I’m not crying. You’re crying.

And my picture-taking walk down memory lane will end with a walk down an actual brick paved lane …

with a stop at the brick commemorating my children’s attendance and graduation.

And those two former Chicago Public School elementary students are experiencing a September filled with new possibilities as one embarks on college and the other pursues a grown-up post-collegiate career ... 🙂

Be sure to visit my cozy living blogger friends to discover what they love about September!

Why Fall is Best Season to Enjoy Gardens / Roasted Summer Squash with Orzo / How to Press Flowers in Microwave / How to Hang Onto Summer

September in the City / How to Knit Kitchen Dish Cloth / Fall Dining Table

White Painted Pumpkin Mason Jar

September 6, 2019 By Linda 6 Comments

White Painted Pumpkin Mason Jar – Painted Mason Jar Craft for Fall.

Today I will share with you all some of the things that are pinging around in my head.

Lucky you! 😉

Let’s start with my love for September in Chicago. I won’t get into the particulars of that love today. That’s a post for tomorrow …

yes, a rare Saturday appearance! I’ll be joining a few other bloggers as we share our thoughts (good and bad) about the month of September.

There’s a fly in the house terrorizing my dog who simultaneously wants to catch it … and hide from it.

At one point while writing this blog post I got up to make a cup of tea with milk and Equal. I then spent the next five minutes searching for my reading glasses …

only to realize they were perched atop my head the whole time. Sigh.

I’m slowly adjusting to not having my daughter (and best friend) here with me in Chicago. Yet, I still get these pangs of sadness (and loneliness) when I realize she won’t be walking through the door at 4 pm with tales of her day at school. Or (like this past weekend) when I see a Yard Sale sign and think that Molly and I should go … and immediately realize, oh.

But she’s loving her new independence and even celebrated feeling like an adult when she did her laundry! 🙂 And we text and talk. A big thumbs up for modern technology!

Finally, don’t hate me, but where are the pumpkins? I’ve been stalking the grocery store all week, but no pumpkins. Yet. I did spot some mums so they can’t be far behind … 🙂

So I had to resort to making my own pumpkins. On mason jars, of course.

How To Make A White Painted Pumpkin Mason Jar

Materials*

Pint Size (16 oz.) Regular Mouth Mason Jar

Gray Paint (I used this Chalked Aged Gray Paint); but you can also use acrylic paint

White Acrylic Paint (Americana Snow White)

Brown Acrylic Paint (FolkArt Real Brown Acrylic Paint)

Black Acrylic Paint

80 Grit Sandpaper

Paint Brushes

Toothpicks

Matte Spray Sealant

Give your jar two coats of gray paint; let dry overnight between coats.

How To Paint Mason Jars - How To Paint Pumpkins on Mason Jars

Distress with 80 grit sandpaper.

How To Paint Mason Jars - How To Paint Pumpkins on Mason Jars - White Painted Pumpkins on Mason Jars

Add dot of white paint.

Add second dot of white paint right next to the first dot, overlapping. This makes the pumpkin base.

Let dry.

Mix together black & white acrylic paint to make a light gray. Using a toothpick, create three vertical lines in the pumpkin.

Here’s a closer shot of the finished jar where you can see the vertical gray lines.

Add stems with brown paint.

I finish all my jars with a matte finish spray sealant. This is my preferred brand.

That’s it!

Now I’m off to the grocery store, where the search for pumpkins continues …

though I do have another idea for a pumpkin craft. So perhaps I need to hit the craft store too. 😉

Pin It!

White Painted Pumpkin Mason Jar - Painted Mason Jar Craft for Fall - Fall Crafts using Mason Jars - Pumpkin Crafts.

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You can find all my mason jar craft projects at this link …

Decorating with Eucalyptus Year-Round

September 3, 2019 By Linda 8 Comments

Decorating with Eucalyptus Year-Round – Faux Eucalyptus Stems.

I love eucalyptus.

I love decorating with eucalyptus.

I love the grayish-green colors of the leaves.

I love the roundish shape of the leaves.

I love that you can find long stems. And I love that you can cut those stems short.

I love that it looks amazing all on its own.

I love how it works great as an accent for my other (faux) foliage. Giving those silk roses and hydrangeas a little somethin soemthin.

What I don’t love? The short time frame you can find fresh eucalyptus at the store (and when I say store I mean grocery store because that’s the only place I buy fresh flowers and foliage.)

Why is that?

Why has eucalyptus been designated as a fall and winter only foliage?

Is it only grown seasonally? And, for that matter, is there really a eucalyptus season? I can get strawberries year-round … but not eucalyptus?

Are they (and by they I mean the grocery stores) telling me that I shouldn’t decorate with eucalyptus year-round?

That I can only decorate with it during the fall and winter holidays?

And since when do I abide by decorating rules …

especially when those rules are dictated by a giant chain grocery store?!?

So I found a work around so that I can decorate with my beloved green-grayish eucalyptus year-round.

Faux eucalyptus!

That’s right. Faux.

I know. I know. When I first started this blog I swore up and down and backwards and forwards that I would eradicate the faux flowers and plants from my home.

But I just can’t! I’ve fallen back on my old ways. And now I sit here surround by faux.

Sigh.

But it makes me happy … so I suppose that’s what matters most. Right?

And if you (like me) just can’t resist the siren song of the faux flora and fauna, here are the sources for my faux eucalyptus stems and sprigs …

Sources*

Click here for long, silver dollar eucalyptus stems, 24″

Click here for small silver dollar eucalyptus sprigs with faux buds, 11.8“

Click her for flocked artificial eucalyptus spray, 16″

*includes some affiliate links.

Pin It!

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Gray, White Dining Room

August 27, 2019 By Linda 4 Comments

Gray, White Dining Room – Board and Batten Dining Room.

What’s in a color?

Or what’s in name?

Okay, more accurately, what’s in the name of a color? Paint color, that is.

They say you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover. It should also be true that you shouldn’t judge a paint color by it’s name.

And yet, I have.

In fact, there have been times when I couldn’t decide between two very similar colors that I let the name be the deciding factor.

Am I the only one?

Is it strange that I once chose a color called Yarmouth Blue because that’s where Mike proposed to me? In Yarmouth, MA?

And is it strange that, at first, I wasn’t thrilled about this paint color because of its name?

Agreeable Gray. By Sherwin Williams.

When I first pulled the paint chip and saw the name, I thought …

meh …

Agreeable Gray?

I mean it sounded kind of vanilla. Or basic (a favorite term of my teen daughter). And apparently (according to my teen daughter) being basic is the kiss of death.

Meanwhile my wardrobe is filled with standbys from Old Navy; not sure how much more basic one can get!

But I digress.

Back to Agreeable Gray. While I love this shade of gray, which has the right amounts of warmth to make it not too blue and not too green and not too purple, the name feels so …

middle of the road.

The paint name says (to me, at least) that this color is nothing to get too excited about. It’s just okay. It won’t argue. It won’t cause a fuss. But it’s also won’t get your heart racing.

And yet, when I put it up on the walls …

my heart did race.

Perhaps being agreeable isn’t quite so meh.

Or basic.

P.S. The teen daughter loves this color too.

The College Drop Off

August 20, 2019 By Linda 7 Comments

Can we talk?

Today is a day I’ve been avoiding all summer.

Today is the day I’ve refused to fully think about.

Today is the day that has twisted and turned my insides for weeks. And months.

But I can’t ignore today anymore.

Because today is here.

And today we move my daughter into her college dorm.

Freshman year.

She’s nervous. We’re nervous. I’m going to assume her roommates (and their parents) are equally as nervous.

It’s not an easy move. It’s not a drive. It’s a flight. And it required advance planning. Some shipping. Some research.

And yet I did those things without really thinking through what they … and that … really meant. What it would mean to actually get on that plane. To rent that car. To drive to the campus. To shop at Target. To locate the boxes sent ahead last week and then to move all that stuff into the dorm.

I didn’t think through that last hug. That last goodbye. The drive back to the airport …

and then actually getting on the plane without her!

I know it’s only four years. I know we can keep in touch much easier than I ever did with my parents. I know we’ll be seeing her shortly at parent’s weekend and then Thanksgiving and then Christmas break.

These are all logical thoughts.

But logic goes out the door when you’re dropping your first daughter (and last child) at college.

All I can say is Colorado – which is already and awesome place – is now a much more awesome state with her here!

🙂

Embroidery Hoop Wreath

August 15, 2019 By Linda 1 Comment

Embroidery Hoop Wreath DIY – How To Make Embroidery Hoop Wreath With Faux Eucalyptus & White Roses.

For the next four years I’m going to try and spend as little as possible on craft supplies. Let me count the reasons why:

#1 – College. While my first child graduated from college in the spring, my second (and last) child starts her freshman year next week. And with the start of college comes the tuition bill. And this time around the bill is bigger. Gulp. So I’m going to be scrimping, scraping … and praying that nothing big decides to malfunction around the house. Fingers crossed.

#2 – Random Craft Supplies. I have boxes and bins and drawers and shelves filled with various crafting supplies. Things that I thought I wanted to make but never made. Supplies for things I thought I wanted to make, never made … and now can no longer remember what I wanted to make! There’s extra supplies from things I did make. And then there are craft supplies I bought with absolutely nothing in mind; I just thought they were cute.

#3 – Ad Revenues. I’m not sure what’s going on (and it’s probably because I’ve taken a couple of very extended breaks from blogging over the past year … or perhaps things are just slow in the summer and I never noticed before), but my blog ad revenue took a nose dive these past few months.

#4 – College + Ad Revenues. Did I mention college? 🙂 And did I mention ad revenues? Because those ad revenues are what I use to cover that college tuition. And when ad revenues are down … well, my stress levels go up! Fingers crossed (I’m doing a lot of that lately) things will pick up for the upcoming holiday season.

#5 – Recession? I haven’t fulled recovered from the last one and I feel like I’m always looking over my shoulder for signs of the next one …

So I’ve decided I’m going to be much more frugal. I’m going to dig through those boxes and bins and drawers and shelves and (for the most part) craft with what I have. And what I don’t have, I’ll spend as little as possible to acquire.

Take this embroidery hoop wreath craft.

I picked up those hoops years ago. One of those I can’t remember what I wanted to make left over craft supply. The faux eucalyptus leaves were purchased in the spring, long before I started panicking about college tuition! The faux roses are from the dollar store; again picked up years ago. The only ‘new’ craft supply purchased for this project are the faux eucalyptus stems. They were a very frugal $3.19 (link in materials list).

How To Make An Embroidery Hoop Wreath

Materials*

Embroidery Hoop

Faux Eucalyptus Stems

Faux Eucalyptus Leaves

Faux Roses

Florist Wire

Floral Tape

Wire Clippers

Jute or Rope for Hanging

*some affiliate links included.

How To Make Embroidery Hoop Wreath With Faux Eucalyptus & White Roses.

Attach eucalyptus stems to bottom of hoop using florist wire.

Cover wire with floral tape.

Strip the rose stems of the plastic coating. Then remove the wire.

Use florist wire to replace the original faux rose wire.

Make a little loop thing at the end so the wire stays put.

Attach roses to hoop.

Add a jute loop and bow and hang.

Pin It!

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You can find all my craft projects at this link …

Vegetarian California (un)Roll Buddha Bowl Salad

August 13, 2019 By Linda 1 Comment

Vegetarian California (un)Roll Buddha Bowl Salad – Asian Salad Recipe Ideas.

Vegetarian California (un)Roll Buddha Bowl Salad - Sushi Salad Recipe - Sushi Salad Buddha Bowl - Asian Salad Buddha Bowl

It’s been six days since I’ve eaten a vegetable.

I know, I know. Nothing to brag about.

I guess … technically … I may have consumed a pea here and a carrot there (in shrimp fried rice). And does the tomato sauce on pizza count as eating a vegetable?

But then again, isn’t tomato actually a fruit?

Speaking of fruits, not much in the way of fruit passed through through these lips over the past six days either.

Here’s the deal: The past six days was spent visiting my 86-year-old mother and my 88-year-old father in Florida. Before we left, I didn’t form or even think of an eating plan in advance. I went with a go with the flow attitude. I just didn’t realize go with the flow meant zero vegetables …

I think my body is in shock. I also think my body is about 5 pounds heavier than when I left!

I could verify that, but I’ve been avoiding the scale lately! 😉

Let’s just say my clothes are a little snug.

So today I’m back in Chicago and back to my veggie filled Buddha Bowl lunch routine. And this vegetarian California (un)Roll Buddha Bowl salad is one of my favorites! I eat this at least once (and sometimes twice!) a week.

Print Recipe

Vegetarian California (un)Roll Buddha Bowl Salad

Course: Salad

Servings: 1

Ingredients

1 cup cooked sushi rice
1/4 cup Marukan seasoned gourmet rice vinegar
1/2 medium avocado, sliced
1 medium carrot, shredded
1/2 medium cucumber, sliced
1-2 cups lettuce
sesame seeds (optional)
1-2 tbsp Marukan seasoned gourmet rice vinegar

Instructions

Make sushi rice according to package instructions. Once cooked, mix in 1/4 cup of Marukan seasoned gourmet rice vinegar. Set aside 1 cup for salad and store remaining rice in fridge.
Layer 1-2 cups of shredded lettuce/greens in bottom of bowl. Add 1 tbsp of Marukan seasoned gourmet rice vinegar and mix.
Arrange avocado, shredded carrots and cucumber to outer edges of bowl (on top of lettuce). Sprinkle with 1 tbsp of Marukan seasoned gourmet rice vinegar.
Add 1 cup of sushi rice to center of bowl.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds (optional)

So, my favorite part of this Buddha bowl is the seasoning …. specifically the Marukan Seasoned Gourmet Rice Vinegar. It adds a little sweet and a little salty taste to the rice and veggies. Here’s what is looks like …

Seasoned Rice Vinegar - Sushi Rice Vinegar

And here’s an affiliate link on Amazon (click here). Though I found mine at the supermarket. I’m pretty sure other brands offer similar rice vinegar formulations. Just check the ingredients list for sugar and salt.

And as I type that it suddenly doesn’t sound quite as healthy!

Ah well. This is coming from a girl who went six days without nary a vegetable! But I do think the seasoned rice vinegar makes the whole vegetarian California (un)Roll Buddha bowl salad so much tastier!

Pin It!

Vegetarian California Roll Buddha Bowl Salad - Sushi Salad Recipe - Asian Salad Recipe with Sushi Rice, Avocado, Carrot, Cucumber, Sesame Seeds and Seasoned Rice Vinegar

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Succulent & Seashell Mason Jar Planter

August 8, 2019 By Linda 2 Comments

Succulent & Seashell Mason Jar Planter – Mason Jar Planter Ideas.

Every few years, I like to try my hand at growing things. Again.

Translation: Every few years I contract a bout of amnesia and forget I do not have a green thumb.

And this year is “every few years.”

I started on my “I Can Grow Things” spree with my front and back yards. My track record of growing grass is not … well … not strong. So this year I decided to try again. For the umpteenth time.

Translation: When I say I’m trying again to grow grass in my front and back yards that means I doled out a ridiculous amount of cash to a landscaper to try and take back my yard from the weeds and plant grass seed in the front, and sod in the back.

The experiment is still in the early stages, but I have to say there is quite a bit of green going on around here!

Translation: There was quite a bit of green going on until (1) the dog peed on the sod out back and; (2) the city of Chicago finally got around to trimming my (technically their) tree out front and left a 6 foot pile high of branches on the newly-seeded-and-growing parkway grass for the weekend.

But before the dog and the city’s Bureau of Forestry decided to test my resolve, I felt empowered … emboldened … to try my very own hand at planting some succulents. In a mason jar. With seashells.

No large sums of money were doled out for this project. 🙂

How To Make A Succulent & Seashell Mason Jar Planter

Materials*

Pint Size (16 oz) Mason Jar

Pea Gravel or Aquarium Gravel

Seashells

Potting Soil

*affiliate links.

Add pea gravel (or aquarium gravel).

Add seashells.

Add potting soil and succulent.

Water.

I also made some using sea glass that I shared on the other blog, Mason Jar Crafts Love …

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Why I Chose My House

August 6, 2019 By Linda 23 Comments

I would like to think this fabulous idea of telling you all (finally) about how and why I (and we) chose my (and our) house was all mine. But, alas, that honor goes to the very fabulous and talented Jennifer at Town and Country Living.

And you can read all about why Jennifer chose her historic home here …

This week she’s organized a bunch of us bloggers to share the tales of how and why we fell in love with our homes. You can find links at the end of the post.

So, on to my story …

Now, many of you who stop by regularly have heard me moan and bemoan about my Chicago home. It’s old. It’s creaky. It’s drafty …

and, it’s (technically) a tear-down in my now very gentrified Lakeview neighborhood. So I’ve been reluctant to make any large investments. Lately, it’s been a lipstick on a pig situation.

Sorry house!

But it wasn’t always so. There was a time when I swooned over this house!

I was going to correct the headline to include a “we” and “our” because Mike did play a role too. But then I remembered that … technically … I really did choose this house!

Well, at first that is.

Mike was on a business trip when the realtor called insisting she found our first home. So I rushed over (alone) after work to take a look.

It was love at first sight.

Not to mention love at first neighborhood.

I fell in love with the tree lined street. I fell in love with the cast iron fence. I fell in love with the refurbished Victorian right next door. And the house next to that? Yeah, I fell in love with their white picket fence.

Swoon!

As far as I was concerned, it wasn’t just a house I was buying. I was buying the entire block and the entire neighborhood.

And after 25 years (we originally had a 5-7 year plan) I’m still in love with the neighborhood. The block. And (most) of my neighbors. 😉

Shall we step inside?

The interior looks nothing like the house we bought.

Decor wise.

Style wise.

And detail wise.

In the entry we embarked on our first big DIY experiment: installing faux board and batten molding.

In our space-challenged home, it offered up a great storage solution for the kids coats and backpacks.

Okay, they still threw them on the floor. But at least mom now had hooks to pick them up and hang them on!

And we liked the board and batten look so much …

we installed it in the living room too!

The big windows are nice for letting in light, but we’ve never been a fan of casement windows.

Ah well. Twenty-five years later and we’re still living with them!

This is the space I call my office (since I don’t have a space to call an office). It’s where the proverbial magic happens!

Oh, and that side table is usually piled high with notes and papers and cans of diet Coke!

Did I mention we liked board and batten? Yup. We installed it in the dining room too!

Our house is a railroad set up which means the rooms are stacked back to back. So the dining room is probably the least used but most visited space in our place!

And through that French door is the family room we added on when I found out I was pregnant with #2. I don’t have pictures to share today because my son (who was two-years-old when we built that addition) came home from college and set up his electronics back there! 🙂