The good and the bad

The good... I just can't resist these glorious sunrises and this was today...looks like fire!!!  And just as the sun emerged, three deer walked gracefully across the pasture in the foreground.  I couldn't really get a good picture.  Now for the bad...this is the burn I received on Thanksgiving.  MY own fault for not being a little bit more cautious but the bird was really heavy and a little dripping splashed out.  I will heal and it has never been painful.  Lesson learned!

Critter stuff

 First of all I hope everyone had a great, safe Thanksgiving!  Stuff....My stuff(ing) not in the bird was a little dry but some of us like crispy dressing, so that was OK I guess.  No one complained.  Secondly, I spilled hot drippings on my foot when I was taking out the turkey from the oven.  I have a pretty good tolerance for pain and after cleaning the floor, continued with my tasks.  I had lots of help of course and we had a wonderful day with friends and a niece and her husband who were visiting. That night, when I pulled my sock off, I discovered this humongous blister on the top of my foot.  It jiggled--it was so large.  Fearing that it would break in bed, I drained it and dressed it and went to sleep.  It did not hurt.  Living in a small berg like ours, I called the clinic early yesterday (Friday).  They had me come in and I was able to see the DR.  He dressed it and it seems just fine!  So much for that STUFF!  So my animals have stuff too.  Spencer above has his stash of bones which he hides all over to keep the others away and the cat found this drawer to be a comfy spot when I was working on that cupboard.  No black Friday for us.  Just a wonderful day in the country and a walk by the river to see the aggressive beaver chopping down unbelievable large trees!!!!

NOT construction

 Those of you who know me (us) well, know we have been doing construction jobs in  past homes. Finally, we are just doing small projects and decorating.  We have hung cellular blinds on over 20 windows and on solid oak floors, we wanted an area rug for the living space above.  COZY!!!  It is COWBOY HELL again, but we live in the west, and our property is bordered by a working ranch.

Glass tiles grouted and finished...It is jewelry for the kitchen although again the pictures don't do justice to the glass tiles. If you are curious about the counter tops, they are sprayed concrete. (?)  

Thanksgiving wishes

 I just get such a high from these sunsets and sunrises and they are never as spectacular here as from my home.  The colors are always so brilliant!!

The back splashes are all done!  We went to Cheyenne on a flying trip to get more as we loved the tiles so much that we decided to put them on the computer desk area also.  We also needed a large area rug in the living area.  The floors are solid oak and although they are not cold, we wanted a more cozy area. Two more projects are on our short bucket list...a chandelier for the dining area, which was ordered yesterday and blinds for one more room.  Then done!!!!

Now, one of my very good friends decided to try a Martha Stewart project.  This is a large candle holder...well, a container for a large candle.  The frosted area here still has some glitter to be brushed away, but with some special glue and some fine glitter, and a computer generated pattern we have pine trees, deer and stars.  I still need a candle, but what a fun and a pretty craft to make a personalized gift for someone!  I may suggest that this might be a project for our summer retreat.

 As always, my furkids warm my heart and here these two have cuddled up on the sofa..which is why I have LEATHER upholstery on nearly everything.  The two little guys really don't shed but poor Hildy's leavings would have made several coats, had I spun or felted hers.  At age 11, she is really starting to show her age.  An old injury as a pup keeps her limping now even with meds, she falls on occasion and wants to act like a puppy again but just can't. Little Spencer here is attached to her at her hip so it saddens me to think what he might do when her time comes. 

But for now, we enjoy all of the love they give us and the laughter we share at their antics.

We wish all a happy and safe Thanksgiving!!!

Glass tile backsplash

 Just posting a quick demo of the application of glass tiles without using mastic.  We had seen (on TV) the use of this product and were pleasantly surprised to find it at our favorite box store.  We really thought we were finished with home improvement projects, but the previous owner had several small projects that were never finished in this home as they couldn't decide what to chose.  There were no window coverings, no dining room light fixture, no backsplash....you get the picture.  So the sheets of adhesive are covered on both sides with paper.  Peel off one, press it to the wall and peel of the front, add the tile.  We have a few more to apply above the range, and then grout.  Will post that picture later.

My father's influence

Within the week, my father would have been celebrating his 99th birthday.  Although he has been gone for a number of years, his influence molded my life.  His sense of humor, his ability to live knowing right from wrong and his love for his family and life in general--those things were the foundation for our lives.  So again, I post a picture of his favorite color--sky blue pink.  This was a sunset this past week taken from my front porch.  Happy birthday dad.

 I will always be thankful for his frugality.  Today more than ever, we are encouraged to re-cycle.  As I have mentioned before, that is how we always lived.  Nothing was thrown out that might be re-purposed.  So when I found this cabinet at a thrift shop, it was apparent to me that it was a "make do".  My love for primitive and the history behind make do items, those re-purposed things, inspired me to make the purchase and use this in my kitchen.  It was formally part of a Hoosier type cabinet.  With two small drawers and 3 larger metal bins all mismatched materials, someone patched together this small cabinet.  It had a broken leg which had been reinforced and screw holes where a door had been.  The baked porcelain top is chipped and over sized for the piece and I have used it this way for a couple of years.  I decided to give it a new life last week and with some glue for the leg, sanding and new paint, I now have a wonderful new island for my kitchen and the bins now hold my flour, sugar and baking supplies.

This is my make do and I love it!  This picture really does not give it justice...I think it is prettier in real life!!!

"Other things may change us, but we start and end with family." ~ Anthony Brandt