Saturday, March 31, 2012

It's Time for My Easter Nests

It's that time of year to make my favorite Easter treats.
 ( reposting from last Easter)




These nests are so easy to make and taste great!





You'll need a 1/4 cup of butter, a bag of chow mein noodles and a bag of marshmallows.  





Melt 1/4 cup of butter and 2 cups of marshmallows on the stove for about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Once the marshmallows are melted, turn the heat off and add 4 cups of chow mein noodles.  Mix thoroughly.









Use a really clean muffin tin.  Rub butter in each spot.




Put a bit of the mixture in each spot.   Use butter on your clean hands too so you can push the mixture around to create the nest.  This recipe makes about 15 nests.  If you want to make more, buy two bags of chow mein noodles for each bag of marshmallows.


Put them in the freezer for a couple of hours, then carefully remove the nests with a butter knife.






I put some parchment paper down, then put the nests on that.  





Add M&M's, Robin's Eggs or jelly beans as the 'eggs' and you're done!



Thanks for your visit!

Pam


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UndertheTableandDreaming

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Beautiful Versatile Armoire





In 2003, my husband built this beautiful, solid maple armoire. It held our old, big tv perfectly in our family room. It was so heavy. It took 6 people to carry up our hill and in the back door to get in the house.










A few years later, we upgraded to a new tv and needed to repurpose the armoire.  Since the time it was originally put in the family room, he had remodeled our kitchen with a huge island.  Luckily we were able to clear the island by one inch (!) to get it out of there!  We again enlisted several friends and down the hill it went.  He cut it in two pieces to make it easier to move around.  It then became a wine cabinet in the living room.  It was easier to move, but was by no means whatsoever, easy to move!  It was still a beast!


We were lucky that when we moved out of that house, we had movers.  We put it on the main floor of this house, so it was easier to manuever for the movers. 

A few weeks ago, we got new furniture for our living room, the armoire again had to move.   My husband must have huge respect for my strength, because he was sure the two of us could move it ourselves.  Not a chance!  We were lucky to have strong visitors soon after who helped us get it out to the garage...




There, he again refurbished it.  This time he cut off the back to straighten it off rather than have it fit in a corner.  He couldn't reuse the crown moulding, so made his own!  Yes, he's amazing!  




Today he was finally ready for it to go back in the house and was sure that the two of us could get it in our room and lift the upper part (about 300 pounds worth!) onto the base.  Again, not a chance!  Luckily we had strong neighbors around who helped us. 

After we got the top portion on and he secured everything, he then reattached the four doors.  The upper doors weigh almost 25 pounds each!  He has a mechanism in there so the doors slide back into the sides and are out of the way. 

Now it is in our master and again holds a tv.  It is my favorite piece of furniture that he's ever built and I definitely wanted it where we could see it daily.  The details that he added make it such a beauty.  I'm so happy to have it back in the house. 




Thanks for your visit!

Pam


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Friday, March 16, 2012

A Dog Needs a Great Place to Cool Off

Our chocolate lab, Max, used to LOVE the pond in our old backyard.  He would chase the ball forever, then go cool off in the second level of the pond.  HGTV has his picture on their site today!   HERE is the link.




When we moved here, the summers were much hotter and he was getting a bit older.  We wanted a water feature in this yard and knew we needed a place for him to stay cool. We didn't have the slope in this backyard to make a multi-level pond, but we were able to make something that we love and he loves.



We built this pond a couple of years ago.    HERE is the link  





 We had to add this mesh so he wouldn't get in the deep side.  It's funny that the fish swim right up to him.  We call his area "Max Beach".   Yes, he is spoiled.  :)






Thanks to HGTV for posting his picture!  Thanks for your visit.

Pam

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Special Gifts from a Special Friend

A few years ago, I was on the Rate My Space site and met some really talented people.  Heather, who was one of the most talented ladies on there, happened to live a couple of hours from me.  After getting to know each other through our garden postings, she invited me to an antique show in her area.  Another friend and I headed the 100 miles to meet her in person and shop, shop, shop.  We had a great time!  Soon after that, my husband took a job 800 miles away, so we moved.  Well, luckily, our son decided to go to college in the same town she lives in!  Now every time we visit our son, I get to spend time with Heather!  Her home and garden are absolutely gorgeous and she knows the best shopping places in the area. Colby Cottage and Treaures from the Heart Blog are two favorites that she's introduced me to.

Today I received a box full of gifts for my birthday from Heather.  Oh, she knows me so well!!

A nest and eggs. I love the materials underneath it.



 I think it looks great on this old scale.  Now if I can keep the cat from playing with the eggs...

I love this old fan!




 She sent this mini cake plate.  I like how it holds another nest perfectly.




 This ruffled terra cotta pot is so cute!



This is one of the gifts she sent me for Christmas.  Perfect!


We laugh that we started out as friends who met on the internet!  She is one of the nicest, most generous people I've ever met.  Thank goodness for the internet.  :)

Thank you for your visit.

Pam

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Sunday, March 4, 2012

Some Comfy Pillows, A Birdhouse and it's Done!

I think I'm finally done (for now!) with our living room.  In my past couple of posts, I've shown where we've added the new couch and new typewriter art.  Today I was at Pottery Barn and found a couple of very comfy pillows for the couch as well as a neat birdhouse to hang on the wall.  Yes, I probably needed another birdhouse like I needed a hole in my head, but that's the way it works around here!  :)

The pillows are like sweaters--very soft and comfortable!




 I love the size of the birdhouse.  It even came ready to hang on the wall.



 




My husband didn't like the blue chair in the corner, so now we have the ottoman there.  Of course with the soft throw on it, the cat has claimed that spot.   I ended up flipping the rug and table and am happy with it this direction.


 Thanks so much for your visit!

Pam

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Chic on a Shoestring Decorating

Saturday, March 3, 2012

My "Type" of Art

When we got our new couch a couple of weeks ago, we had to move some furniture around in the living room.  We ended up with a wall with nothing on it.  (shocking!)  :)  I've shopped at several places recently, but just couldn't find the perfect piece for that spot.  I wanted something that was unique and fun.  I found it today!  I think it is perfect for us,  since we collect old typewriters. 







I'm getting closer to finishing the room.  I have my eye on some new pillows and some things for the other side of the room.  Stay tuned for more updates.  :)


Thanks for your visit!

Pam


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