Coffee for Me .......

in a teacup????

YUP!!!

I have slowed down the past few weeks. I have been so overwhelmed with all that I have to do.

Did you ever get like that?

 I just stopped unpacking upstairs.

So every few days I go and have fun. 

By fun, you know I mean thrifting and shopping! LOL

Anything but unpacking! I needed to get my head on straight.

 I couldn't make good decisions with my head all over the place.

 So this is one of my relaxing times.

 

Flowers from Valentines Day from Mr. Sweetladyelaine!

 

I love this tray!
It was given to me by my friends at St. Anne Institute in Albany, NY.( I am from Schenectady, NY)
After working there 17 years we had to move to Shorewood, IL.
This was our first move. We lived in Buffalo, NY, Houston, TX, Belleville, IL,  and now Spring TX.
Not sure where we will go next, but it has been quite an adventure!

Coffee in a teacup? YUP! Why not, I say? I don't stick to rules.....
I serve whatever I want, in whatever I want!
It's more fun that way!
There isn't a name is on the bottom of this cup.
I think the wheat decoration and color are pretty!

My new votive cup is from Garden Ridge!
I was so happy when my friend told me there was one in Houston!
 I love Garden Ridge. They have wonderful prices!

Of course being who I am, I had to have a sweet with my coffee!
A homemade apple turnover! Pastry puff is another thing I love! So easy! Looks delicious!

The full picture in my dining room. I wish you could smell my roses they are so fragrant!

If any of you get to Houston please get in touch with me! I would love to meet another blogger!
Thank you for stopping by.....

I am joining:
Tablescape Thursday at BNOTP
http://betweennapsontheporch.net/spring-dessert-buffet-for-an-outdoor-party/

Blessings My Friend,

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Blessings My Friend,

An Easy Meal

Last post I told you I made chili dogs! My first time ever eating them or making them! lol
 I used this recipe from Rachael Ray's. The picture is from the internet.

Coney Island Chili Dogs

Ingredients

• 8 hot dog buns

• 1 pound ground beef

• 2 onions, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

• 2 tablespoons chili powder

• 1 tablespoon ground cumin

• 1 6 ounce can  tomato paste

• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, plus more for topping

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• 2 teaspoons brown sugar

• 8 beef hot dogs in natural casings

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Wrap the hot dog rolls in foil. In a large skillet, cook the beef, half of the onions and the garlic over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat, until the onions are softened and the meat is cooked though, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chili powder and cumin and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes. Stir in 1 cup water, the tomato paste, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce the heat to medium and cook until thickened, about 20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, cover the hot dogs with water and bring to a boil. Cook until heated through, about 8 minutes. Place the rolls in the oven and heat through. Place the hot dogs in the rolls and top with the chili, the remaining onions and extra mustard.

I did  not boil our hot dogs. I fried them in butter on the stove or cook them on the grill! I also broiled our buns instead of putting them in the oven.
Warning this is messy eating!
I served it with a green salad and chips. A simple easy dinner for when you are in a hurry.


Hope you try it. It is definitely a home run!

Blessings My Friend,

A Peek into My Kitchen!

Yes, I said a peek! It is not decorated or anything. I am lucky I have my furniture in place, my dishes hidden  and the pantry somewhat organized. I think its going to take me along time in this house. I can't seem to pull it all together. That's new to me, so I am somewhat bewildered. I usually move in and put everything in place and then decorate. Without a problem. Here, I seem to keep moving furniture around and around! lol  Nothing is fitting and I have way too much furniture!
You can see my kitchen is very plain. I did put some pottery on the top of the cabinets. I am just stumped at this point!

 

My round oak table is to the right of me.  This is an everyday table, set for Mr. Sweetladyelaine and I.

 

A very simple table with a round black & silver placemat.

Black & White dinner plates from the GW in Illinois.

My favorite white pleated  plate from GW

and a fun red & white bowl from Michael's a few years back. 

 

                                        My camera has about had it since I dropped it.
                                                  It is hard to take pictures. 
                              Sometimes it takes me a few minutes for it to even work!!!
                                 I have asked for a new one for my birthday in May.
                                                           Any suggestions?????
                                                 I have a Nikon D3000.
             I did like it, but I found looking through the eye thing was sometimes hard.
                                       So a hunting I will go and see what I find.

If you read my last post I am debating whether to put the clock on the wall or a rectangle gold mirror.
To the left you can see a bit of the door that leads to the garage. Behind the chair on the right are two windows.

 

I love the clock! It has a little bling on it!

And you know I am all about bling!

 

                                                              A toast for two!
                                              Glasses my mom sent me a few years back.
                                               A rose mirror that I painted gold & black.
                                            I can see that I am definitely like gold touches!

 

What did I serve for dinner????? Your going to laugh......

Mr. Sweetladyelaine wanted chili dogs. I never had one or made one before.

 I think they turned out pretty good.

 

 

I hope you enjoyed your little peek. As I get things in place I will show you more.

My next project is the half bathroom. I want to paint the framed mirror.

Then I will decide what to do next. One step at a time is my motto!

 

Hope you join in me my new adventure. I am slow, so stick with me!

I am thrilled to be blogging again. I miss you all!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 I will be joining Susan at BNOTP for Tablescape Thursday

 http://betweennapsontheporch.net/whimsical-valentines-day-tablescape-alice-in-wonderland-style/

 

 

Blessings My Sweet Friend,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Before & After

I am sharing my childhood dresser that I painted with Annie Sloan, Old White. I learned about Annie Sloan paint from Peggy, a friend in Illinois who owned an art store. Mr. Sweetladyelaine & I love this paint! We used it most of the time when we painted furniture for my shop. No stripping or sanding required!
                             I forgot to take pictures and started to paint it.
                             I can't seem to remember to take before pictures!
                             I have a lot of  "after" pictures! lol
                            My mom had antiqued it blue when my brother and I  were little.
                            She also put clear contact on the top, so we wouldn't ruin it. 
                            I wonder why she thought we would ruin it??????

 

 

 

                     After peeling all the contact off the top, I did sand it to get all the glue off.
                                          Sorry these are the only "before's" I have!

                         This is what it looks like in my kitchen with my Valentine vignette.
                                             I kept the vintage knobs because I love them.

 

                             I  used my rose tablecloth with a layer of lace over the top.
                                                                       

      The clock is sitting on the dresser because I am thinking of hanging it over the dresser.
       Mr. Sweetladyelaine wants to hang a gold mirror there. I am not sure yet.
                                                     So there it sits for now!
                 What do you think???? Clock or Gold mirror????? Picture???????

 

 

There is a  fun surprise inside............

 

 
                                     I painted the inside of every drawer "Provence"!
                                                               I love it!
                                                   I do this for two reasons......

I love the color and it doesn't go with my color scheme!

So I paint the inside of the drawers a favorite color!

No one can see it but me!

                  In my tablescape on Thursday you will see the dresser again.
                                           Until then have a great day!

I am joining Make it Pretty Monday
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/



Blessings My Friend,

Happy Valentine's Day!

It seems like the holidays flew by and we are already looking forward to Spring. Even though that old groundhog said we have six more weeks of winter! I am happy that time marches on, that way I don't get stagnate! lol 
Today we are in my dining room. You haven't seen any rooms in my new house yet. So this will be your first peek. Eventually this room and the living room will have to be painted! We are busy just trying to get settled. The garage is a work in progress. The walls are finished and painted!  It still needs to be unpacked. Mr. Sweetladyelaine has little time except for weekends.
The story of all of our lives, right????
The downstairs is unpacked, just little things to do like pictures, decorations etc.. The upstairs is overwhelming...............I am going through every box and putting it away or repacking it and putting it in the  bedroom/storage room. Did I tell you I took a bedroom and I am making it into a storage room. No more going up those rickety stairs in the ceiling or garage for me! I own too much stuff! lol

What happened to downsizing you ask????? I did downsize!!!!!!
 I bought a smaller house and got rid of lots, but you know more finds it's way in! I do think someone else must live here........stuff, stuff and more stuff! I just want it all organized so that when the warm weather gets here I can go swimming all afternoon. You will come and join me, won't you!

On to my dining room......

It is painted in a gray blue suede with lots of crown molding. Yes, that is my chandelier! I bring it with me wherever I go. I'll probably pack it in my coffin when I die. Oh wait a minute...............
I'm going to be cremated! Well, I guess my daughter will get it!

I just love the zebra chargers! I wanted them for so long. I just bought them in Hobby Lobby.
My dinner plates are Ridges by  Living Quarters. The cream roses on the salad plate are so pretty. It  says Royal Limited on the back. Both were bought at GW, I think.

                                
                               Look at the  roses on the salad plate. I only have four of these.

                               
                                          Pretty dessert plates

 

 My feather tree bought with my friend Donna. I can't remember where I bought it, but it had to be New York. I know it was at a little antique shop.

                                                    I  like to layer when I can.
                  A lace table cloth with a red satin one underneath, it falls to the floor.

                                            A few extra shots that I thought were nice....

 

 

                       I made chocolate dipped strawberries......forgot to put them on the plate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                  I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine Day!
                                This will be our first year to go out in a long time.
                                                 I am looking forward to it.


                      I will be joining Susan at BNOTP for Tablescape Thursday.
http://www.inlinkz.com/new/luAddLink.php?id=369822&cookie=&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fbetweennapsontheporch.net%2F3-valentines-day-table-settings%2F

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not  self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1Corinthians 13:4-7)
May you find love in all the right places!


Happy Valentine's Day!!!!!
Blessings My Friend,