For the Itty Bittys....

Thought you all might like to tour one of the cutest playhouses on the planet. It is the Kit Kittredge playhouse that made the rounds at different American Girl Stores in Dallas, New York and Chicago - all in the name of Project Playhouse Charity. This little jewel is approximately 8ft by 10ft and "features the same craftsmanship and quality as the real homes built by the same homebuilders." (HomeAid.org)

I love the green front door - what a warm welcome. The detail on the front is classic cottage style with its stone veneer and shingled roof. Look at the arched window - so darling.

Step inside for a quick view of the wainscoting and wood floors. The wall colors are so cheery and how fun is that robin's egg blue table? I think the typewriter, lamp and radio actually work!

The sweet bookshelf holds vintage toys and a little suitcase on top. I love the stacked hatboxes, too. Did you notice the Dutch door?

I have just the spot in my yard for this....You better believe I'd be playing in it, too!

Monday Menu and Some Thrifty Finds

This weeks menu follows. We deviated some from last weeks menu, so this week we are having the meatloaf recipe from last Friday.

Monday: turkey meatloaf, salad, fresh green beans
Tuesday: tacos, with homemade salsa
Wednesday: chicken pot pie (from Super Suppers) - easy recipe and so delicious!
Thursday: grilled salmon, rice, steamed broccoli
Friday: pizza casserole

I am dying to try these cookies...I avoid sugar, so I will have to tweak the recipe a bit and hopefully, stevia will be ok to use. I LOVE anything pumpkin - yummy!

This past Saturday, I popped out of bed at 7 am, determined to drive my SUV around town and scout the local yard sales. It was a nice, cool morning with a hint of rain in the air. Now, let me tell ya'll my "plan". Yes, I always have a "plan". The night before, I read all the newspaper listings and craigslist g-sale ads. I look for neighborhood sales first - they are usually my best bet, as all the sales are in one area together - makes for quick stops and easy grab-n-gos. I highly recommend neighborhood sales - they are usually never disappointing.... as long as you get there early! Early is the key - dealers are always early ( I have heard some reports of dealers knocking on doors as early as 6 am!) and after they hit a sale, most everything I am looking for is gone.

Next, I look for sales near my area and those neighborhoods that are more pricey and upscale. I write all of the addresses down, along with some sort of general direction for me to follow, so I know where I want to go first, second, third, etc. I think this is a pretty good system, although because I am new to this town, I am still learning what neighborhoods are good and what aren't - for sales.

I found some neat finds at a sale recently in Midtown. Midtown is a neighborhood full of beautiful, stately homes from the 40's and 50's - tons of character. It is the hip place to live in this area. The tree-lined streets hold many mansions as this was where oil tycoons built during the oil boom. As soon as I got there, I saw the line.. Oh, the dreaded line full of dealers, curious joes, and regular ol folks like me waiting for the security gate to open. Waiting, watching, speculating and hoping that by some bit of blessing from heaven we would all find a great deal.

I happened upon this chair. Isn't it fun? I love the zebra print. It could probably stand to be recovered, but I am leaving it as is. It is petite, yet substantial enough to be comfortable and will fit well in my living room next to the piano. The other chair I was considering for this space will be used somewhere else. It was 8 bucks!

I also found this pretty oil - just 5 dollars! It hangs in a spot in my hall.

Here is a rattan tray/table with fold up legs. I put this next to the leather sofa in my hubby's office as a side table, as it is pretty substantial. It brings a bit of whimsy to an otherwise stuffy space. I think it might have been used outside, so I need to find some type of oil to shine up the finish again. Any suggestions? This was 7 dollars.

I have more finds from this weekend and will post those later this week....

Have a nice Monday!

Sunday Rest

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

Sweet Surprises!

Last night, two of my neighbor's kiddos arrived incognito at my doorstep with dinner goodies! Aren't they darling? My sweet friend found out that my hubby was having surgery and offered to bring us dinner - wahoo! I just had to snap a quick pic and got B right in there in the middle of them... He and C are in the same 1st grade class this year and we love that they are together.

I must say the meal was delicious! It was a Mexican chicken dish with sides of rice and beans. She also added yummy cookies for dessert! You treated us so well, Ellen - thank you so much for your sweet surprise!


Speaking of surprises....look what I walked into. Just when it gets quiet...that's when the real trouble begins! Ahh...the fun of q-tips. K sure was having a ball!

I've been doing more Fall decorating and will have some pics posted soon! Have a nice Thursday!

Wednesday Welcome!

A hearty welcome! The coffee's on, the muffins are toasty, a spice candle is burning - all that is missing is you! Please come inside for a small preview of fall in my home...

I haven't been in the biggest seasonal decorating mood, but today is rainy and crisp - I love it! I would guess that it is about 68 degrees outside - great day to get all my fall totes out of the attic to sort through. I have the windows open throughout the house, letting the cool breezes in. It makes me want to stay in bed, read a great book, and sip coffee all morning!

I'll be back soon with more pictures of fall fun!

McCain's Choice....

TOTALLY ROCKS!! ok, let me just say...I love Sarah Palin!! She's a gun-toting, pro-life, gutsy woman and a true maverick on many levels. She "believes in the strength and the power of women, and the potential of every human life". Amen, sister! I think it was an incredibly risky move for John McCain and I respect him for it. This energizes me like no other. I wasn't excited about this race... at all. The candidate I wanted in the White House is no where on the radar screen anymore and I just kind of felt that I was "handed" the choice - McCain - or nobody. I kind of have always felt he leaned much more to the left, than the right. However, his choice of VP really gets me motivated to sticker my car, grab a yard sign, and spread the word. Finally, A Change We Can Believe In!

Menu Plan Monday

Here is what I am making this week. I tweaked the menu this time...just a little, as last week changed a bit. Again, I am trying new recipes from RecipeZaar this week - on Wednesday and also Friday. I just cannot say enough good things about this site. It is simply wonderful for an amateur cook like me. I usually look for the highest rated meals, as those have already been "tested". I also try to serve a green veggie with most meals, which usually means green beans or broccoli as my kiddos will eat them. Honestly, if I can do this - anyone can. If you are frustrated by lack of skill or knowledge, or even picky eaters like I have, just give it try and take it one recipe at a time. It can be done!

MONDAY: Grilled salmon with lemon/garlic/evoo on a bed of rice, served with fresh green beans
TUESDAY: Tacos
WEDNESDAY: Crock Pot BBQ Chicken, served with Baked Potato Wedges
THURSDAY: Spaghetti - my kiddos love this
FRIDAY: Turkey meatloaf, served with steamed broccoli and romaine salad

By the way, the Crock Pot Ravioli was a HUGE hit last week. I added meatballs to the mix and it turned out really well. I won't be making the Country Chick/Veggies again. It was really easy, just not as tasty as I had hoped.

HAPPY LABOR DAY! Hope you have a fun, restful and celebratory day with your loved ones!