Not Empty Handed

We're back from our week in Wisconsin (check out the week in photos here) and I didn't come home empty handed. 

"What?", you're thinking. 

That's right. I made a little purchase. 

I shared images (check it out here) from our first day out thrifting, when unfortunately, I came home empty handed. 

But, later in the week, we stopped by a rummage sale and I just couldn't resist picking up a little souvenir from our trip.

Believe it or not, I actually walked away from these chairs at first. Then I came back. At $20 for the pair, I just couldn't resist. The problem was, I didn't have a perfect spot in mind. 

Fortunately for me, my quick thinking SIL suggested our front porch. So here they are, testing out their new home. Not sure yet if they will stay here, find a new home, or even if they'll get a little makeover.

But for now, they're the perfect resting spot to watch Miss T ride her new wheels up and down the driveway. Again, and again, and again.

linking in with:

Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality

Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

until next time, 

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Got Celery?

I know you'll never believe it, but I am away again. This time enjoying Mr. DD's family reunion in the Wisconsin North woods.

As is customary with these reunions, each 'family' is responsible for cooking one dinner. Fortunately for me, my mom shared a great recipe with me last week that works perfectly as a side to our skirt steak main. 

{Don't you love my SIL tablecloth - HomeGoods, of course.}

Italian Mushroom and Celery Salad

1/2 pound cremini or white button mushrooms, very thinly sliced

4 celery stalks, from the heart of the celery, very thinly sliced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1 tablespoon minced chives

Salt and freshly ground pepper

1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice, or 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1/2 tablespoon (1 1/2 teaspoons) white wine vinegar or sherry vinegar

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 ounces shaved Parmesan

1. Toss together the mushrooms, celery, parsley, and chives, and season with salt and pepper. Mix together the lemon juice (or lemon juice and vinegar) and olive oil, and toss with the vegetables. Just before serving, toss again with the Parmesan.

Serves 4.

We'll be serving 16 people tonight. Wish us luck!

Be back later in the week with more updates. 

until next time, 

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Oh, the Wonders of Spray Paint

After completing my PB inspired, DIY, glass lamps, I had to find new homes for the old lamps. Who doesn't love a good game of lamp swithcher-oo! 

The more masculine of the two lamps {that's normal, right? to think of your lamps as female or male?} made its way to the antique dresser in the corner.

I really like the shape of this lamp and the white shade certainly goes a long way to lightening this corner of the room, but it still didn't feel quite right. 

Oh, the wonders of spray paint. A couple of quick, light coats of grey spray paint transformed the lamp. 

I choose grey because white seemed too predictable and I already have a lot of green in the room. Plus, it pulls some of the grey tones out of the bedding. Bonus. 

After the final coat, I sanded it lightly with 220 grit paper. I love how the details in the lamp really shine now - when it was dark on dark the details weren't quite as noticeable. 

So, much better. And all for the cost of a simple can of spray paint. 

I'm still working on the styling, but at least I got the picture hung. And on the first time, no less. I still need to go back and patch, sand and paint all my other nail holes. Boo. But, that does mean that the reveal is right around the corner.

Have a great weekend! 

until next time, 

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