in a fog...

i'm writing this post mainly for myself...so if you're reading this, just skip it. not much here. i'm in a fog.

i've been sick with flu like symptoms for about 3 weeks...however, it's not the flu, doctor confirmation...still have headache, stuffy head, cough, ugh.

can't concentrate

can't breathe very well

can't sleep very well

tired all the time

zero energy

zero creativity

i miss creativity...i miss blogging.

maybe tomorrow will be a better day.

Warming Up!

I'm sharing a table to warm up on this cold winter day, a table perfect for my husband's tasty chili!



Since it's a casual meal, I thought I'd use a simple setting: mix-matched vintage flatware, everyday place-setting, and jars for drinking glasses.



The blue bottle with porcelain cap is vintage and the fabric is actually a skirt that I picked up while thrift shopping.



Come on in and warm yourself up!









I highly recommend his recipe, it's the perfect dish for a cold winter day!

Tasty Turkey Chili

Prep Time: 10 min - Cook Time: 20 min

Ingredients: 1 large onion, 2 tablespoons corn oil, 1-1 1/4 pounds fresh ground turkey, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 large cloves garlic, peeled and minced, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 - 15oz can pinto beans, 1 - 15oz can black beans, 1 - 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes in juice, undrained, 1 - 6oz can tomato paste, 1 - 14.5 oz can chicken broth, 1 cup frozen corn kernels, 4-5 green onions

Preparation

Peel and chop onion. Pour oil into large saucepan and heat over medium heat for one minute. Add onions to oil. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes or until onion is almost clear. Add ground turkey breaking up large pieces and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Stir in garlic, chili powder, black pepper, and cumin until well combined. Strain pinto and black beans, rinsing thoroughly and drain. Stir beans, diced tomatoes and their juice, tomato paste, chicken broth, and corn into pot. Heat 5-6 minutes stirring often. Rinse and slice green onions, add to pot. Add rice if desired.

Yield: 8 one cup servings.

I'm joining Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for her Tablescape Thursday and Michael Lee over at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday. Drop by for a vist, won't you?

A Change of Scenery

I believe a change of scenery always does me good, however, sometimes I kick and scream thinking I have way too much to do to take time off from work and my regular routines.

But then, as we hit the road, I begin to unwind and breathe in the fresh air.



I'm a Texas girl, born and raised. However, I don't own a pair of cowboy boots or hat and I don't camp. period.

On the other hand, my husband is an outdoorsman. Loves it all. Done it all.

So, when we travel to places like this, with manly outdoor activities, we compromise. He does his thing and I go shopping! Yippee, my favorite! We meet back at camp and enjoy time around the campfire with friends and family and then head back to the hotel where I can take a warm shower and sleep in a super comfy bed. Aww, the life.

When my husband and I make this particular trip, we go with my sister and her husband. My sister is way tougher than me, she likes roughing it. {I'm a pansy. There...I'll admit it.} She and I hook up in the morning and get to spend the day together, scouting out the little towns with their precious shops. We hit every store/shop/hole in the wall  we want ~ we're great shopping partners. I call it therapy.

We found this neat store called "Material Things". It was a combination of local art and antiques. fun. It was housed in a historic building right off the square in the middle of town. We spoke with the owner and he said that the building was originally his grandfather's building and now he has a part of it. neat. As we were checking out with our treasures, he bagged things in a material bag, get it? "Material Things" ~ material bag. cute.



So, to all your shop owners out there, presentation does matter!



I found this piece to add to my aluminum collection.



And this plate for my never ending desire for pretty dishes. sigh.

Then we trekked off to a few more stores and I ran across these fabrics:



Actually they are skirts, but I just fell in love with the prints!

Hm...I think I need a pair of cowboy boots, gosh, throw in a hat too! 

Yee Haw!

These pictures are from the hill country, Llano, Texas.

A Little Something Extra!

I picked up this fabric at a thrift store, well it was actually a valance. I loved the charm of it and decided I'd turn it into napkins. No problem...a little seam ripping, a few cuts and new hems, they were ready to go. Then I thought about making one of them into a bread cover and adding something a little extra to the corners.

Simple little beads to add a little extra.

While looking at all the bead choices, I decided to make a few more bread covers.

These will be fun to add to tablescapes.

I'm linking to Show and Share Friday over at Just a Girl. Drop by for loads of inspiration!

A New Friend...

I found out something and thought I'd share...and kudos to you who already knew about this! A friend shared with me that she cleaned some of her silver {or silverplate} with Bon Ami cleaner. I didn't know about using this all~purpose product, in fact, hadn't really thought about it before. I thought Wright's Silver Polish was the end all.

Until, I had this stubborn piece from a shopping trip...

...yes the dark one. I used my "trusty" polish but it wasn't doing the trick. So I pulled out the next best thing to Bon Ami {because I didn't have any}, Bar Keeper's Friend.



It worked like a charm!





I couldn't believe it! I don't think I would use it on my sterling silver, there were precautions on the back of the container.

But for this piece, it was perfect. I was curious of the markings on the back...

1847 Rogers is a division of International Silver

Just thought I'd let you know about this, just in case you're interested.

Grandma's Flatware

I'm writing about my sister's project, flatware from our paternal grandmother. I just love what she did with them and wanted to share with you. What a great way to display these treasures!





I love the jewels she added. Simple. Perfect.

Thanks Susie for being a special guest! I loved this project!

I'm joining Cindy over at My Romantic Home for her Show and Tell Friday. Drop in for a visit, won't you?

Quick and Easy...

I found this abandoned clock at a community thrift store for $1.00. I don't need any more clocks but for $1.00, I couldn't refuse a little project. So here it is in its before state:

I wanted to change its face to one with roman numerals so I went to the Graphics Fairy for help. As expected, she had just what I was looking for...thanks Karen!

Quick, easy, and a new little clock for my kitchen!

I'm linking to Linda's Thrifty Tuesday over at Coastal Charm. Be sure to drop in for a visit!