Dish Soap Stand {a tutorial}

                       I found this fun idea on Pinterest.  

I loved it and wanted to rush right out and buy all the pieces to make it that minute. But I live 1 1/2 hours from the nearest Target/TJ Maxx/ or any other cool store. So in an effort to be thrifty, I spent the next year looking for the perfect candle stick.  I had found one last summer, but alas, it came as a set and I liked them too much to tear them apart.  So, patiently waiting and keeping my eyes open, I finally found one at a rummage sale with my mom and sister this past weekend.  It did come in a set of three, but I convinced my mom that she only needed two candle sticks to be happy.  She wasn't sure she believed me but I convinced her that I needed that single, solitary candle stick to make my life complete.  
The best part though?  The original owner of those candle sticks was selling the whole 3 piece set for 1.00!  I actually had to look twice at the sticker, I couldn't believe it! 
That's what I call a super score!
I got my super cute plate from TJ Maxx of course. 

Here is all you need: 
1-candle stick
1-cute plate
1-hot glue gun

Just make sure that the top of your candle stick is smaller than the bottom of your plate of course! 

Heat up your hot glue gun and slap some hot glue on that candle stick.

Turn your cute plate upside down and stick the candle stick in the center of it. Make sure you work quickly so that the glue doesn't cool down and harden before you get it on the plate. 

And voile! You have a beautiful stand to add style and beauty to your kitchen sink.  Which frankly could use a little pick-me-up, at least in my house. 

All you need to do is add your dish soap and hand soap to your lovely new stand.  I put my dish soap in a glass decanter that I picked up from TJ Maxx for $4.00. That way it looks even prettier.  I may have to find a pretty bottle for the hand soap next.

 

I hope this inspires you to make your space a little less ordinary.  Beauty and creativity don't have to be 

expensive or difficult! 

Enjoy!

Jana

Remember Them

photo credit: Mimi Kramer

It's Memorial Day today.  
I'm pretty sure this fact hasn't gone unnoticed by most of us.
But what have we done to truly remember the men and women who have paid for our freedom with their service?  With their own freedom?  With their lives? 
Too often we don't do much but give the holiday a passing thought.  Maybe think about it briefly when we take in a parade. 
Maybe just be thankful for an extra day off? 

I want to take just a moment to express my thankfulness.  

I have a a husband who was in the Air force, a father who was in the Navy, an Uncle who was in the Air force, and a brother and sister-in-law who are still serving in active duty in the Air force. I think there was some great grandpa's who had some involvement in the armed services not to mention cousins and other relatives too. 
Each of them has given their time and made sacrifices to serve our country.  I am so grateful to them all.

I especially want to give a shout out to my sister-in-law and brother right now.  They have been active duty soldiers for over 21 years.
Currently my sister-in-law is serving overseas in Kabul Afghanistan.

Mimi in her battle-rattle. photo courtesy of Mimi Kramer

She has left her husband and 16 year old daughter and 11 year old son and answered the call of duty to travel far from home into a hostile environment.  She isn't doing it because she wants to be separated from her family, but because it is what duty demands. While she is over there, she will give her all and do her job to the best of her ability in service to our country.  In service to you and to me.

 So, when you are thinking of our soldiers both past and present, please remember my brother and sister-in-law. Remember their sacrifice.  Remember my niece and nephew. Remember their long days and longer nights being separated from their dearest loves. They will be separated for over 6 months.  That's a long time in a 16 and 11 year old life.  My sister-in-law is missing out on sports competitions, sweet 16 birthday parties, milestones, good night hugs, kisses good morning, and a lot more in between.  My niece and nephew are missing out on the presence of their mom who has been ever present in their lives.  My brother is missing a partner, a friend, a lover. He has to carry the load at home on his own. He has to go to bed alone each night and wake up alone each morning.  And so does she. She has been enduring  a high stress, high danger atmosphere every day.  She has been risking her life, every day.  When they are reunited as a family, they will each be different than they were when they were first separated. They are giving so much for us.
Are you grateful?
Remember that even today while you were enjoying your brat fry and parade there are soldiers on the front lines, facing danger, living in hostile territory doing their duty for our country. 

Sacrificing so that we might remain free.
Take some time to remember them.  
More importantly, take some time to pray for them.  Pray for all the soldiers who are out their doing their duty. 
And be thankful.  
Without them, we wouldn't be free.

My brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew just before she was shipped out.

Mini-Milestone

I just had to get a picture of this grin before it changed.  

The other front tooth is very close to falling out as well. It is just a matter of hours or days before it will be too late to capture this mini-milestone.

 I don't know what it is, but I love the gap-tooth grin. 

I think it's adorable.

It also gives the viewer an accurate impression of the 

mischief this guy can get into. 

He just loves taking pictures. 

Can't you tell? (in case you can't tell, I'm being sarcastic) 

But he does love making faces!

Stay tuned for the updated photo after the other tooth falls out.

It's gonna be a good one.

Ugly Thrift Store Art Gets a Makeover

This summer I helped plan a wedding shower.  

I wanted to make a fun chalk board that could be used not only as a shower decoration but also as a gift.

I scoured the local Goodwill for a suitable frame.  

I loved the oval shape of this piece, but the art inside: 

Hideous! 

In case you can' tell, there is a collage of dried flowers and mushrooms on top of a 

terry cloth towel in that frame.

I'm sure it was cool once. 

Maybe.

But, it had good bones, so I went for it. 

I even got it half off.

A little white spray paint, and a couple layers of 

chalk board paint on the glass, 

and we now have a beautiful message board.

This project cost very little, especially if you happen to have leftover chalk board paint laying around. 

Plus, the bride-to-be was happy to learn she got to take it home. 

Win-win!!

Happy crafting! 

Recipe: Mexican Rice

Did I ever tell you about the most amazing Mexican rice recipe I have ever tasted?

I don't think I did.

Because I am a loving person, I will share this recipe with you today.

I am fairly certain that I got this recipe from homesicktexan.blogspot.com.

I love this rice because it has so much flavor.  

So much Spanish/Mexican rice that I have tasted is just too blah. It tastes more like chicken stock than anything remotely Spanish flavored.  

Not this rice.  

It has copious amounts of tomato, lime, and cilantro flavors bursting out of it. 

Mmmm, I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.

It is a perfect compliment to fajita's, taco's, quesadilla's, enchilada's, tamale's or any other Mexican dish you love!

You can practically see the flavor! 

Here is the recipe: 

Mexican Rice from homesicktexan.blogspot.com

1 C - rice

2 C -chicken broth

1 TBS - butter

1 TBS - olive oil

1 - small onion, diced

4 - cloves garlic, minced

1/4 C - tomato paste

1 TBS - lime juice

1/2 C - cilantro

1 TBS - cumin

salt to taste

-Add rice, broth and butter to pot.

-bring to a boil on High, stir once and cover

-simmer on low for 20 minutes

- remove from heat and keep covered for an additional 10 minutes

- meanwhile in a large skillet cook onion in olive oil until just about brown.  Add garlic to pan, stir and cook for 1 minute.  Stir in tomato paste and cumin. Cook for 1 minute. 

- mix in cooked rice, lime juice and cilantro. 

Season to taste and enjoy!

It is so tasty! 

You'll be glad you made it.

Trust me! 

DIY Wooden Sign

I was in need of a bridal shower gift.
Of course I looked on Pinterest to find an idea.
I love the rustic wooden signs that people have been making.
So I went to my local handy man, aka, Hunky Hubby, and begged him to help me.
He is so handy with a saw.
He whipped up this fantastic rustic wood sign for me.
I didn't really even have to beg.
That's cause he looooves me.(insert kissy noises here)
Plus, it only took him about 6.8 seconds to whip the whole thing together.
It would have taken me approximately 6.8 years.

The sign was almost beautiful enough by itself.
H.H.'s handy work is that good.
However, I thought it might be nice if the gift came with a little effort from both of us, so I decided it needed a message on it.
Something romantic.
There isn't anything more romantic than the Song Of Solomon, from the Bible.
Have you ever read it?
It's gets pretty steamy if you can read between the lines and understand what those word pictures stand for.
Anyway, I pulled my quote from chapter 6 verse 3.
It says "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine."
(Swoon)
But I only used the first part.

Otherwise, that's way too much to paint on a little ol' sign.
I researched online how to transfer the lettering from a piece of paper to the wooden sign.
It didn't work.
Probably because my wood was too rough.
So, after going through the process of designing the text on my computer, driving to camp to blow it up on the xerox machine (because I don't know how to do it on my printer), and trying to transfer it to the sign, I ended writing it all by hand with chalk.
Chalk works great because you can paint over it and then wipe off the excess with a wet paper towel after the paint has dried.
I used some brushes with fine tips and some acrylic craft paint I had in my 'stash.
The lettering was still a little bit challenging because of the rough texture of the wood.
In the end, I think it turned out nicely.
I just hope the bride-to-be enjoys it.

What do you think?  
I love hearing your comments.
If I decided to make some of these signs and sell them, what do you think they would be worth?

Don't forget, if you would like these blog posts to show up automatically in your in-box, become a follower. Take a look over in the side bar and you'll see where to type in your e-mail address.
It's easy-peasy.
Have an inspired Monday!

Jana

It's The Little Things

I was down in Fond Du Lac visiting my mom so I took advantage of the opportunity and visited my favorite store, TJ MAXX.

It is probably a really good thing that I do not live in the same town as TJ.

It could cause some serious marital complications.

However, when I am in a town that has a TJ MAXX, I love to shop there first for the things I am looking for.  I love their selection, and their prices, especially if you can land a clearance item.  I also love that they have popular brand names for less, and that nearly everything they carry is stylish. 

Anyway, I really love their section on kitchen gadgets and dishes.

I mean, REALLY love it.

I found a little treasure during my last visit that cost me only $2.99 but promises to make my life easier and make me smile all at the same time.

It's for my kitchen sink.
Which usually looks like this; only messier and piled full of dirty dishes. 
I cleaned up for you.
You can thank me later.

Watch what happens when you move in for a closer look though:

Wait .  .  . What's that in the sink?

Yep, it's a pig.

Isn't it cute?  And no, I do not think that this little pig strainer is stylish.  However, it is whimsical and kinda cheers up an otherwise dull job.  Plus, it functions much better than my last one which was made out of mesh material and was impossible to keep clean.  This little piggy works just right.

Totally worth the $2.99.

And because it's a pig, it doesn't mind doing the dirty work.

So what do you think about that?

Oh, this little guy is made by a company called Jo!e.  You can check out this website for more of their products. They have a whole line of animalified (I made that word up) kitchen utensils and gadgets.  If I was going to equip a kids kitchen, I'd be all over these babies.  As it is, I think the pig will probably be my only animal addition to my kitchen.  But hey, if you love farm critters, head to your nearest TJ MAXX and buy up a bunch of fun kitchen tools!  This one seems to be really well made and it functions perfectly.

Plus, it makes me smile.

What kind of crazy things do you keep around your house that bring a smile to your face?

Leave a comment and let me know.

***p.s. I was not in any way compensated for the review on this Jo!e brand product or the store     TJ MAXX.  I just like to share the things I love. 

I'm nice like that.