Friday Finds Under $5: Message Board Remake

I am a lover of lists. I can't help it. I am constantly writing lists of things...grocery lists, to-do lists, projects-to-be-completed lists, etc. With little Hudson occupying so much of my day, I find that I often just have 15 minutes at a time to complete a task. And with all the things that I am keeping track of in my brain (when did he eat last, when does he go down for a nap, don't forget the laundry in the washer, etc.) it sometimes takes me a while to decide just what I want to do with my 15 minutes. But by the time I decide, my 15 minutes is now down 7 minutes...

Sometimes I watch Chopped or Iron Chef America  if I want to clean the kitchen in a hurry, but sometimes even that doesn't help.

Last week, I used my kitchen chalkboard to write a HUGE list of stuff that I needed to accomplish. Then, when I was given a little free time, I just glanced at my list and got to work. It totally helped me to accomplish 17 times more than I normally would have done without my list.

BUT I love having a quote or a Bible Verse on my chalkboard. And I think it would be helpful to have my list movable - so that I could take it from room to room as I work. 

Again, Pinterest came to the rescue - I now have this fun little board. 

While browsing Pinterest, I came across this adorable project from Burlap and Lace.  I followed her instructions exactly! (except I turned my paint chips sideways. I can use the board in either direction)

Her directions were simple. Her inspiration was adorable. I am pleased with the results. 

You should try it too! 

I had thought about trying to use a frame that I already had on hand - making this project totally free. But in the end, I am loving the cheap Walmart frame. 

To satisfy a summer craving...

Earlier this week, we went over to our friend's house for a scrumptious supper and fun fellowship. To start off our meal, the host served a delicious Spinach-Strawberry Salad that screamed SUMMER! It was sooo good. I ate every last bite...but I resisted the urge to lick my bowl clean. After all  we are just getting to know this family - and we want to keep hanging out. ha.

For the next few days I kept thinking, "Wish I had more of that salad!!" And then, the Aldi add this week didn't help matters. Their produce sales just seemed to mock my craving.

Strawberries AND Spinach were on sale! So, yesterday, on our way to the park for a walk, we stopped. And I stocked up!

Last night, I used this recipe from Supermom Moments to candy some pecans.

The recipe was really easy to follow. The result is quite delicious. I may even sprinkle some on my oatmeal in the morning.  I also loved the fact that this recipe only required one pot...no baking...less cleanup!

I asked my friend what was in the dressing...just olive oil and orange juice. I don't have measurements for you. I just know it's more OJ than olive oil - this keeps it from tasting too oily. If it tastes too tart , you could always add a little sugar. However, the pecans are super sweet - keep that in mind!

I couldn't wait for lunch today. In fact, I thought about eating the salad for breakfast.

But when lunchtime came -the salad didn't disappoint. It was everything I had hoped it would be. I can imagine that blueberries would also make this salad yummy. And maybe even some grilled chicken on the side.

Since I'm at home...I might lick the bowl.

P.S. Using pics from my Instagram is a quick way to get a blog post up! You may see more posts like this!

A little problem solving, a little redecorating...

Two problems recently presented themselves...one required immediate attention - I mean, things were falling off the wall. The other issue seemed to be a battle that all must fight - the dreaded junk pile.

As of this evening, both problems are now solved - and in the mean time, a few spaces in my kitchen have been redecorated.

What is my motivation to re-decorate, you may ask...why not leave things as they are?

1. Sometimes it's because I have picked up a new item while thrifting/shopping/bargain hunting. 
2. Sometimes it's because I need to clean. Rearranging a room forces me to vacuum in places that are normally hidden. It forces me to reorganize problem areas. And, with a new arrangement, I am usually a little more motivated to keep it picked up (for a little while, anyways!)
3. Sometimes it's because I am bored with a space. 
4. Sometimes it's because I am forced to. Such was the case with problem #1
5. Sometimes it's because my original configuration just isn't working. Such was the case with problem #2.

Even today, my mom sent me a picture of a space that she had rearranged/redecorated. I guess that's where I get the desire to "change things up." Even if I am using items that I already own, it is a huge moral boost to see something different in my home.  After Jeremiah and I had been married for about six months he said, "You'll never be 'finished' decorating the house, will you -" I just smiled and shook my head. 

Problem #1...My shutters kept falling off the wall. I have loved being able to display Christmas cards and such in my red shutters. (Read about their original debut a few Christmases ago here.) However, they have been knocked off the wall several times in the last few months - probably because they are so heavy. Since we will soon have a crawler and toddler, I figured I had better change something before it fell on Hudson's head.

Hudson was quite concerned.

He is definitely on the move these days.

I mean, he's already learning to fly...

It's quite impressive.

Back to the kitchen problems...so the last time the shutters fell was at my coffee party. Now you see the shutters...

... now you don't.

This last time that they fell - they hit me in the head. My friend was helping me to move the table closer to the wall when it happened. I was glad it grazed my head and not Hudson's or one of my guests', however - I wasn't going to put them back up, only to have them fall again. It just wasn't worth it. And, now, I can look for another use for these shutters.

I've had a picture/painting that I picked up at a yard sale for $1. It hung in my old apartment and the colors matched nicely there. It was the perfect size for the previous home of the shutters, but the frame needed some paint.

That strip of burgundy was not my favorite. After a little frog tape and some white paint...

...we were in business. I even left some streaks on purpose - so that it would blend nicely with the distressed hutch.

I'm completely satisfied with the results.

You may have also seen the "new to me" thermoses atop my hutch. I picked those up at Goodwill last week for just $2 each! I think I may have found a new item to collect! These are in excellent condition. I will now be on the lookout for cheap, vintage thermoses of the same era- in all shapes and sizes and colors.

Problem #2 - I feel that most people have this problem...that place in your home where the junk pile collects. It may be by your front door. It may be on your kitchen counter. It may be on your coffee table. It may be in a chair. For me, it was on my 6.5 foot kitchen table. Mail, my purse, coupons, magazines, cards, pictures - you name it! There was always a pile. There was always mail to be sorted. Paperwork to be filed. Or just junk that needed to be thrown away. And so, I decided it was time for this to be cleared up...for now.

My husband had the great idea of clearing out the top drawer of the hutch. We placed a simple plastic office tray in there that can hold papers that "need to be handled."

I also designated a place for the mail of the day to be placed. I had seen this cute idea (via Pinterest, of course) and decided to give it a try.

Using a regular needle and some white embroidery floss, I cross-stitched a chevron pattern into this regular desk organizer (that we already owned). I am please with the results...however, stitching in the center of each row was a little more difficult that I had imagined it to be. A shorter needle may have helped.

For now, the mail organizer is sitting on this plain lazy-susan. That little piece of wood may get a makeover soon.

Time will tell if the top drawer of the hutch and this little mail organizer will help with our "pile." If not, we'll try something else!

Using some items that we already had on hand, I was able to solve my 2 problems. I guess that SOMETIMES it pays to be a hoarder of thrifty finds and craft supplies. My craft closet is begging for some organization, though - then, I feel I will be able to put these supplies to better use! It helps to know what you've got!

If you could see my table right now, you would see that the mail from today is happily waiting to be read in my embroidered desk organizer. And there is no fear of being knocked unconscious by a pair of really heavy old shutters.

What problems have you solved recently? What motivates you to redecorate? 

Hudson Says: My little green chair...

While mom's washing my clothes (I just can't figure out how to not spit up...) I thought I'd help her out and write today's Friday Find Under $5.  

   I'm not sure if you have met my mom or not...but she is always painting something...

 And this week was no exception! I was just hanging out in my Bumbo seat...one minute she's talking to me in high pitched tones. The next minute, she's got out her sponge brush and a free quart of paint from ACE. 

She tells me that this little project was for me. She bought this little chair that would convert into a stool for 50 cents. 

 I'm told that's a pretty good deal.  And she keeps picking up little wooden toys for me. 

She kept saying something about that ACE paint with the primer built in would cover anything, making it great for thrift store finds. I guess it was a pretty easy thing to paint once she got that stubborn sticker off the front. 

 But I told mom she needs a challenge every once in a while. 

I was ready to try this chair out right away. But mom said it had to dry. 

And so I waited... 

And waited...and chewed on my hands some...

and played on my playmat...

and waited some more. 

And finally, it was time to give it a try. 

Mom insisted on holding me up...I guess I'm not as steady as I think I am. Ignore my spit up splatter...it's pretty common these days. 

And then I flipped the back of the seat to the ground and tried it out as a step stool. 

I'm sure that I can soon use this little item to get into all kinds of fun places!