Something I'm Working On

Do you ever find yourself jealous of others' lives and successes? Do you wish you could have taken that trip, bought that car, gone down the exact path you planned for your future like everyone else seems to do? You hoped to have more friends, that girl's size 6 waist, a dog that doesn't bark at nothing and embarrass you in front of the neighbors. Lately, I have had a big problem with this. It feels like everyone around me has it better off or is doing things or going places I want to do, be, say, experience. Some days it's hard to find the fulfillment of life, isn't it? And being fulfilled is oh so important, at least I think so. There will always be aspects of my life that I am perfectly content with and yet, other holes that remain unfilled. Isn't that what life is though? A series of ups and downs, victories and disappointments.

No, I'm not working on being envious of everything and everyone around me. What I'm working on is NOT doing that. I have been trying to remind myself on a daily, even hourly, basis that there are plenty of things in my life that I love and wouldn't trade for the world. I have it pretty dang good, actually. Sometimes I lose sight of that. Sometimes, when there are bill to pay instead of bags to buy, responsibility over frivolity, it's hard to remember the awesome things you already have. That crappy minutiae should be overlooked in the grand scheme of things. Sometimes, when you have your health and the love of your family and friends, you have to stop and take stock of these things. Because, they are enough.

Time to re-focus. If you have the same problem I did/do, I suggest you do the same. Remember, it's all good!

chair makeover

When we moved into our house, it became quickly apparent that we did not have nearly enough furniture to fill the space. This was especially true in the living. The living room is a 15'x21' rectangle, give or take. We love the size but unfortunately, it has been a challenge for furniture placement owing to the location of the cable outlet and the fireplace on one end. Anyway, while we're still thinking about those things, we decided to start adding more furniture.

We were lucky enough to be given 2 cane-backed chairs by my stepgrandma. She no longer needed them and they were in good condition so we snapped them up. I love their curved arms. What I did not love was the color and finish of the wood and the upholstery on the seat. I was not deterred. Instead, I said to John, "We can fix these."

I knew I wanted to paint the wood so I set off taking them apart as I thought this would be easier for painting. Wrong. The chairs were very well put together (who knew?) so after I unscrewed all the screws, I realized everything was also nailed in many places. Oops. Back in with the screws and instead I just covered the cushion and went to town.

I selected a satin finish chocolate brown spray paint by Rustoleum. I roughed up the wood a bit with some sandpaper and started spraying. I did not prime. I probably should have but luckily, one can provided just enough paint for two coats. That offered enough coverage for my liking.

After the first coat, all taped up

I purchased 2 yards of 1/2" foam from Joann's to help add a little more cushion to the chairs. I might have preferred 1" but it was more expensive and actually, in hindsight, a full inch of extra cushion might have been too much added height.

The main accent color in the living room is blue. Originally, I purchased this upholstery fabric from Joann's to make a roman shade for the kitchen. After holding it up against the window I decided I didn't love it there and put it away. When the time came to start working on these chairs, I draped the fabric over one of them and decided I loved it for the chairs instead. Score! Off to purchase another yard and get started on my project. Well, after also purchasing a staple gun and staples too. Home improvements are pricey.

I do not think I could have done the upholstering portion alone. Luckily, John was around to lend an extra pair of hands, and offer ideas of just how to tackle the curved back of the seat and tricky parts around the legs. I really wanted to try to do this with one piece of fabric. We not so quickly realized that was a fool's dream. Seriously, we probably looked at it and laid fabric on it for a good hour.

Instead, I measured and cut strips of fabric for the front sides and back of the base of the chair and a separate piece for the top of the cushion. It probably took us 2 hours to figure all of that out and get the first chair done. On the first chair, we did the strips first and then covered the cushion.

This was dumb. It didn't let us hide the staples like we really wanted to and so on the second chair, we did the opposite. Much better, cleaner and quicker. Luckily, they looked pretty much identical anyway. Once I abandoned the single piece of fabric theory, and succumbed to the idea that I would definitely need to add trim to hide the staples, it was smooth sailing.

Look at this beauty!

Because we had lots of staples that needed to be hidden, I embarked on a trim hunt. I wasn't really sure what I wanted to use since I hadn't anticipated this step. When I settled on nailhead trim, I didn't realize what kind of mission this would involve. You can do nailhead trim the hard way, banging in each single nail, one.by.one. Or you can take the quick and easy way, buy nailhead trim by the strip! It's not sold everywhere and it was more expensive than I expected, though not bank breaking. I bought my pewter strip here, 10 yards for $20. Not terrible but the shipping was $8.00 I think Joann's sells this, also for $20, but my store was all out. Too bad, with a coupon it would have been less than half of what I paid from Beacon. The cool thing about this trim is that there is a whole every fifth nail, so you are only hammering in every fifth one even though it looks like you did them all separately.

See that one nail sticking out?

Tool time!

The not so cool thing about this trim is that it is SHARP when you have to cut the strip to fit between the legs. I was able to use my kitchen shears (probably not the best) because my regular scissors wouldn't work. I snagged my finger on one of the pokey ends. It was a gusher! Still hurts a bit today while I'm typing this.

Wounded in Upholstery Action

(ignore my hair, my finger has a bandaid on it but it's flesh-toned)

But check it out! Nailhead trim that looks expensive when it wasn't. And was really simple to attach, just watch those edges.

See, see see?

And here is the completed project! Unfortunately, the trim doesn't show up as well when photographed from further away. I assure you from my view on the loveseat across the room, these chairs are stunners! If I do say so myself.

Here it is with a throw pillow I made awhile back for added comfort. The blue in the pillow picks up one of the dots perfectly. For now, my two lovelies are side by side but I'm on the hunt for a small accent table for them to flank. I think it will make the space look more intentional, rather than just two armchairs next to each other.

So, let's break it down.......

Chairs: Free

Foam Cushion: $10

Fabric: $15

Nailhead Trim: $28

Paint: $4

Nailgun/Staples: Not including since I'll have this forever now

Total: $67 for two chairs

Pretty amazing, right? I'm really pleased with the outcome. I even have some foam, fabric, and trim leftover for future projects. This nailhead trim is my new fave. I think it would look great around a memo board or, well anywhere really! For my first upholstery project, I definitely had a slower learning curve. Now that I've done one, I'm confident I could tackle another with a bit more confidence this time. I would say the skill level on this was medium so it was a bit more advanced than I probably should have attempted for my first project. If I had been able to take the chair apart like I wanted to in the first place, it would have been way easier. But, you never know until you try, right? Come on over and see the chairs for yourself in person! The pictures on my iphone and crappy camera really don't do them justice.

Don't be afraid to reupholster something of your own.

You can do it!

One Hundred!

Last week, I harvested my 100th cherry tomato. What a momentous occasion! The name of the plant, Sweet 100, did not let me down. They sure were sweet and I got the promised 100. We celebrated the landmark the way we celebrated the first two tomatoes harvested, rinsing them off from the hose, wrapping a leaf of basil around them, and popping them in our mouths. They were just as tasty as the first.

The fact that I'm dedicating this whole post to how excited these tomatoes make me is quite momentous in itself. I used to loathe tomatoes. I wouldn't eat them raw if you paid me. I could always eat them in things, sauces, salsa, etc. But if one appeared on my salad, it would be promptly pushed to the side of the plate. No thank you, tomato. Looking lonely on the plate after the salad was long gone, my mother would typically scoop them up for her own consumption. True story, one time when I was probably 11 or so, my mom cut a tomato in half and made my sister (also a tomata-hata) sit at the dining room table and eat the halves. We weren't allowed to get up until they were gone. It was a terrible day. Salt, sugar, nothing helped. We could only just plug our noses and choke them down. Thanks for scarring me for life, mom.

What a long way I've come though, right? Just the other day, I cut up a tomato and put it on my salad. I might have even enjoyed it. I'm going to chalk that up to its sweet freshness. I'm not sure I'll be making a habit of that once my growing season has come to close, which is, sadly, just around the corner.

Recipe Re-blog #33

Just one this week, guys. We went north to our hometown last weekend (more on that later in the week) and dinners when menu planning were of the easy persuasion.


Key Lime Pie Fudge: I know, I know. The name of this recipe makes you give it the side eye. Key lime pie....fudge? People, do not let this deter you from making this recipe. I was headed to my 80's Zumba Party (more on that later too!) and wanted to bring a dessert. I bookmark and save all of these dessert/candy/cookie recipes knowing full well that it will be a LONG time before I can make them. The problem is, if I make a pan full of brownies, John and I will eat a pan full of brownies. I have to wait for events in which to bring the sweets to. Then, we can enjoy some at home and share with others. You should know, freezing doesn't work. We are a shameful couple who will eat frozen cake before it's thawed. We have no willpower. NONE! I should have found a husband who craved salty instead of sweet. Then, if he didn't partake in late night sweet-eating, I wouldn't either. I digress. This recipe is "healthy". Only 82 calories per 1 inch square of fudge. Let's be honest, who can eat just one square? I had never made fudge before if you can believe it. This recipe has two parts, crust and fudge, but it came together really quickly. Please please please. If you are a fan of key lime pie, make.This.FUDGE!

All Over But the Shoutin'

All Over but the Shoutin' by Rick Bragg was recommended on another book blog I read, though I can't remember which one at present. It is not a new book, by any means, but the first of many stories and memoirs about Bragg's family and growing up in the South.

Bragg grew up the middle child in an extremely poor family in 1960's Alabama. His father was an abusive drunk who, eventually, left his wife and three sons for good. His mother, Margaret, did whatever she could to put food on the table and give her sons the best life she could. They relied on the kindness of her large family throughout their lives. Bragg did not go to college but instead, found his way onto the staff as a writer at the local paper. Lots of years, hard work and amazing events later, Bragg became a Pulitzer Prize winning writer for the New York Times.

That was a brief synopsis and it doesn't really do this book justice. I thought All Over but the Shoutin' was beautifully written. Bragg's imagery is incredible and allows you to peer into the lives and minds of a family who works so hard to make it and a mother at the helm who never lets anyone feel sorry for her. If you're looking for incredibly descriptive and interesting nonfiction, give this one a try!

Rating: * * * *

Recipe Re-blog #32

Four new recipes this week! Am I steamrolling through this year of cooking or what? The word of the week is SIMPLE. These were all so easy and delicious!



Caprese Baked Egg Cups: Within the last year, I have become obsessed with all things caprese. If you are unfamiliar, this is a mixture of sorts including tomatoes, basil and fresh mozzarella. You can have it as a salad, or an appetizer, and even with your eggs! I harvested some beautiful cherry tomatoes and fragrant basil from my garden. I don't have a chicken so I bought the eggs are the store. Likewise with the mozz, having no cow and all. The recipe calls for these to be baked in ramekins. I didn't have the right size but I did happen to have 2 mini loaf pans with Santa on them. Christmas in August? There were Christmas colors in the food, does that count? Anyway, these were super simple and super delicious! Toss in the ingredients, crack in the eggs and bake. That's it! These would be a big wow if you were having guests for breakfast. I don't have anyone on the B&B books but maybe soon.


Sweet and Sour Chickenhttp://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-search/budget-recipes/sweet-and-sour-chicken: This is a recipe from Rachael Ray's June/July 2011 issue of Everyday with Rachael Ray. Sweet and Sour Chicken is my go to order for Chinese take-out. This version is much healthier as it does not involve any frying of chicken. As far as a homemade version goes, this was good. Obviously, nothing can compare to actual Chinese but this was an easy alternative.


Fish and Chipshttp://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-search/budget-recipes/fish-and-chips-2: This was on the exact same page as the recipe above. What are the chances? When I was planning this week's meals, all I did was hold up the page for John, who immediately approved, and we had two dinners picked! Fish and Chips are also another meal that is just so good in a restaurant that it's hard to make at home, my not having a fryer and all. This was breaded in panko crumbs to give it some crunch and baked in the oven. It came with a tartar sauce recipe but when I got home, John had already mixed up his own version. What a guy! I had planned on doing potatoes (chips) alongside but....well, you can read below why I changed that. If you like fried fish, try this also for an easy and healthier alternative.


Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bakehttp://www.kalynskitchen.com/2011/07/recipe-for-easy-cheesy-zucchini-bake.html: This was an impromptu recipe when I found myself in possession of a zucchini that weighed 4 pounds and was the size of my head. I happened to have all the other ingredients on hand too (and fresh herbs!) The only one I was out of was parmesan cheese. (How did this happen?) I just added more shredded mozz in its place. This was really tasty and easy too! Just mix and bake. I love recipes like that. In summertime veggie season, this is especially a keeper.

P.S. Why are my hyperlinks sporadic?! I hate you IE whatever version I have.

You're my boy, Blue.

Oh, Blue, you have been my faithful friend for nearly 108,000 miles

even though,

I did not always give you the best care,

and maybe once scraped the garage door on your bumper.

I couldn't bring myself (or my wallet)

to replace your windshield either.

And yet for 5 years, that giant crack did not spread.

Unfailing steadfastness.

I will miss your awesome gas mileage, which I foolishly estimated

as a fresh out of college driver,

would cost me $200 a month.

"HA!" You exclaimed. "How little you think of my environmentally sound speed."

You, first car of my very own, were pleasant to share

the miles and miles of road with on my daily commute.

Not to mention, the many 3 hours drives up north, when I was lonely and homesick.

One downfall, I would be remiss to overlook,

is that you are not so good in the snow.

Perhaps, you are better suited for the milder winters of the south.

Nevertheless, we never technically wrecked.

Though not for lack of trying - double donuts across 3 lanes of traffic on ice and into a ditch.

I hope you found me a fair driver. Letting you cruise as much as possible,

trying diligently not to brake heavily, or hard. Easing you to your stops.

I hope a new driver may find life on the road with you. Another first time owner,

just maybe. They will love you, like I do.

And find you reliable, as I did for many years.

See you round the bend, Blue.