tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69217369555990588442024-03-19T03:55:17.065-06:00Dorese's PiecesDorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-32465478754241377232010-09-01T15:45:00.000-06:002010-09-01T15:45:28.837-06:00I received a gift today...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGB267sLzOD-Y00i7Ws_YqCJS1Wzj8tUOoUuPAWm36Ym0Pw-UvknX_NUx8XsTWxDxJFpiInDRz1iOOlkM-R0QAE0U5oXetJyhChsUbTSmV-4oUhp2WyHs1KFJ2GLgbzlLBfI_bJ8M4XrN/s1600/08-26-2010+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGB267sLzOD-Y00i7Ws_YqCJS1Wzj8tUOoUuPAWm36Ym0Pw-UvknX_NUx8XsTWxDxJFpiInDRz1iOOlkM-R0QAE0U5oXetJyhChsUbTSmV-4oUhp2WyHs1KFJ2GLgbzlLBfI_bJ8M4XrN/s400/08-26-2010+015.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">My in-laws are in the process of gutting and updating an old house. While we were walking through it with them last week to admire their plans and progress, they commented they were replacing all of the windows in the house with vinyl ones. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Having no use for them, they were just going to <i>throw away</i> the old windows. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And you'd better believe I jumped on that train! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzBfusWpBsLzW_hxn4bTMesRKYKXAnX90oz-egKiQ6UiCnyCAxwQWZyDww2M7DwZ6ysRNTlKXR_HHW5MghFwjpYMEddEbFkRevuhl26RqgPKCaO4b_8v6M95wAYzJUvgrWN-iNdn0icwK/s1600/08-26-2010+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzBfusWpBsLzW_hxn4bTMesRKYKXAnX90oz-egKiQ6UiCnyCAxwQWZyDww2M7DwZ6ysRNTlKXR_HHW5MghFwjpYMEddEbFkRevuhl26RqgPKCaO4b_8v6M95wAYzJUvgrWN-iNdn0icwK/s400/08-26-2010+014.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Their new windows arrived today, so my "shipment" did, too. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm so excited! There are ten total, and while I have some ideas to do with some of these beauties, I'm not really set yet on what to do with <i>ten</i>. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hvwQAxWzzIGV2nE8yYDXNnlcJE6X3pzF4DPBnDNVVwXlRVT6q1gtr6hUCcr_6zWjM2UN-tmMJp5YO8vpwvtUfedaJh1zGMOHArrT1d-sBwWBgmrauipihYpRzl-3uklMid3-PWqtDxbL/s1600/08-26-2010+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hvwQAxWzzIGV2nE8yYDXNnlcJE6X3pzF4DPBnDNVVwXlRVT6q1gtr6hUCcr_6zWjM2UN-tmMJp5YO8vpwvtUfedaJh1zGMOHArrT1d-sBwWBgmrauipihYpRzl-3uklMid3-PWqtDxbL/s400/08-26-2010+011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm going to be gone for a couple of weeks to visit family in Michigan...</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">{kisses, beautiful state with all those trees!}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...and since I'm not a big-time blog or anything, (not to mention proactive this week...) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...the posting may be a little thinner for a bit. But I'm still here for now, and I've got some things ready to go, not to mention things to post when I get back! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you've re-purposed an old window, or you've seen one someone else has done, tell me about it! I'm searching for ideas, too, and I'll share them with you as I find them. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wait... does this mean we have reached an all-important crossroads here at Dorese's Pieces, and have progressed to having <i>themes</i>?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Indeed it is, friends! Our new theme for future Inspiration Station posts is Old Windows!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Hugs!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/166/313738DE6F5C6023A83DBE6A76FC773B.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> </div>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-55975385469037022292010-08-28T08:00:00.007-06:002010-08-28T08:00:01.029-06:00Weekend Recipe: Sweet and Sour Meetball Kabobs<div style="text-align: center;">I found a recipe several weeks ago on <a href="http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/sweet-sour-meatball-skewers-113530.aspx">Kraft Foods</a> and just got around to making them one day recently for lunch. They were absolutely delicious! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's my version:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWVx46mW42a3pgyQA4lykKCmsapNJmBtRglxEoR9bN_tk1mauWukgFGFlXF5bV5l7hqOO8m7HPwmcGhUMWlIgpG8EKVhbhEjQa8QD7QhTC_hBVHfoW8VZxEx4Zw0R5Mr2CV-2V3SG35cZ/s1600/Summer+2010+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWVx46mW42a3pgyQA4lykKCmsapNJmBtRglxEoR9bN_tk1mauWukgFGFlXF5bV5l7hqOO8m7HPwmcGhUMWlIgpG8EKVhbhEjQa8QD7QhTC_hBVHfoW8VZxEx4Zw0R5Mr2CV-2V3SG35cZ/s400/Summer+2010+019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Sweet and Sour Meatball Kabobs</span><br />
<div id="ingredients"><div class="table-row-gray"><div class="column1"><div class="textarea"></div><div class="textarea">32 (1-inch) fully-cooked meatballs (homemade or frozen and thawed) </div></div></div><div class="table-row"><div class="column1"><div class="textarea">1 red pepper, cut into 1-inch squares </div></div></div><div class="table-row-gray"><div class="column1"><div class="textarea">1 green pepper, cut into 1-inch squares </div><div class="textarea">1 can pineapple chunks or tidbits</div></div></div><div class="table-row"><div class="column1"><div class="textarea">1/4 cup apricot or peach preserves or jam</div></div></div><div class="table-row-gray"><div class="column1"><div class="textarea">1/4 cup your favorite BBQ sauce (I like Famous Dave's)</div></div></div></div><br />
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Thread meatballs, peppers, and pineapple alternately onto 8 skewers. (My layering went Meatball, red pepper, green pepper, meatball, pineapple, green pepper, meatball, etc.)<br />
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<br />
Microwave jam in a small bowl on high for 15 seconds, then stir in the BBQ sauce. Brush half of this mixture onto the kabobs.<br />
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Grill 8-10 minutes until meatballs are heated through, turning occasionally, and brushing with remaining sauce mixture. <br />
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YUM. They were so fast to make that they have become a weekday no-leftovers-in-the-fridge lunch STAPLE for us. Try them before you put your grill away for the winter (if you do that sort of grown-up thing...) - they're amazing!<br />
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<br />
Cheers!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/166/313738DE6F5C6023A83DBE6A76FC773B.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> </div>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-6208628032460644702010-08-26T16:23:00.001-06:002010-08-31T11:03:43.618-06:00... and we're back!<div style="text-align: center;">Whew! That little break turned into more than a month! Sorry for my unexpected absence! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We'll return to regular posting starting today! I've got some good stuff to share over the next while, and can't wait! I was just uploading the pictures off of my</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>small-camera-that-lives-in-my-purse-because-although-I-have-a-professional-fancy-pants-camera-and-own-a-professional-photography-business-I-hate-the-hassle-of-the-big-dog-so-never-took-a-single-everyday-picture-EVER...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">(whew!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...and came across some I had forgot about from a few weeks ago. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQflp76ofamv1nOtZKZPVupcOka_n723woLTsv2X1aHCgS3tDQhc2fhYfoSP3i6ODitgGyPJO8svYuW5i63lNgtgK9IZU0QNdQx5P_KRL36pXUehZ9zMOI2WRAJrAMtczKxF1g8bXkr5o/s1600/Summer+2010+033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQflp76ofamv1nOtZKZPVupcOka_n723woLTsv2X1aHCgS3tDQhc2fhYfoSP3i6ODitgGyPJO8svYuW5i63lNgtgK9IZU0QNdQx5P_KRL36pXUehZ9zMOI2WRAJrAMtczKxF1g8bXkr5o/s400/Summer+2010+033.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We had a crazy, unusual storm come through one evening a few weeks ago. We walked outside, saw the sky, and jumped in the car to go see it in a more open area. We forgot to grab the big camera bag, but luckily, I had my purse with me. :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmFtfgkksVbYpSyaryjK4tsYMO4zHC5NfQokvNZMULEaww_PYaC9RK05bhLfeEtLASKbyxAIM2v2uGCJ4VwBYQSkfnSBeX5-Yo1BhWi5ucUdKid93eRK1W1Bka9lI_YtUhyphenhyphen3KzIfAhRcK/s1600/Summer+2010+046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmFtfgkksVbYpSyaryjK4tsYMO4zHC5NfQokvNZMULEaww_PYaC9RK05bhLfeEtLASKbyxAIM2v2uGCJ4VwBYQSkfnSBeX5-Yo1BhWi5ucUdKid93eRK1W1Bka9lI_YtUhyphenhyphen3KzIfAhRcK/s400/Summer+2010+046.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I grew up in NE Ohio, where the grass is naturally green, the trees are plenty, and the rolling hills are just beautiful. We moved to Idaho when I was 13, and I've lived in different parts of the state since.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Some parts are less humid than others... and we happen to live in an area that is classified as </div><div style="text-align: center;">"high plains desert"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I still have family in the "Middle East" as I like to refer to the area just east of the Midwest, and every time I visit, I think "some day I'll move away from the desert. Someday..."</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUreeM84aNNew9bmP692s1tqTg3kYawFNgcM38j59HfY1n5_7SECJX0LNa6CIuqKNT_pV4M1RYEd5fXYIBv7NWZJ9saiOu8WhPCt-ae8DnKY8AKTS_-jruK5xPQsb73V3PFbfXGWVCqpl4/s1600/Summer+2010+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUreeM84aNNew9bmP692s1tqTg3kYawFNgcM38j59HfY1n5_7SECJX0LNa6CIuqKNT_pV4M1RYEd5fXYIBv7NWZJ9saiOu8WhPCt-ae8DnKY8AKTS_-jruK5xPQsb73V3PFbfXGWVCqpl4/s400/Summer+2010+035.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I've never seen so many breathtaking sunsets as I see here, all summer long...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq30ieyRqj5fXyxH0E1FWSfwgNNHUwhq2_IdcHGj4bQBPYryB_-VLvCYXurT5uTpY56yd3irKNHpxbXU1XLDwjxNN0N4JnosFr4d1XOEz-g5LlIILQkZpau6qcQgEz60gzXnGvNxCo6np8/s1600/Summer+2010+041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq30ieyRqj5fXyxH0E1FWSfwgNNHUwhq2_IdcHGj4bQBPYryB_-VLvCYXurT5uTpY56yd3irKNHpxbXU1XLDwjxNN0N4JnosFr4d1XOEz-g5LlIILQkZpau6qcQgEz60gzXnGvNxCo6np8/s400/Summer+2010+041.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...this particular sunset was an exception, however. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Every direction we looked, the sky looked completely different.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTzwFYukqmnCdBa3B7y6fO7IBtPuCJvXwnz6AIofpm-8hxA2aac0NjCVabQaVvBJWSNgrysofcE4fbpXw6BjUW0-HYpjgm_sQT5soubYA5fU3xWL5fRZnCYgC_JjHuUYg4kjsrfutccEd/s1600/Summer+2010+043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTzwFYukqmnCdBa3B7y6fO7IBtPuCJvXwnz6AIofpm-8hxA2aac0NjCVabQaVvBJWSNgrysofcE4fbpXw6BjUW0-HYpjgm_sQT5soubYA5fU3xWL5fRZnCYgC_JjHuUYg4kjsrfutccEd/s400/Summer+2010+043.jpg" width="300" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We took all of these pictures within the span of about 10 minutes as the sun set. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> We were in a park next to a lake, so we just turned around in circles shooting the sky with my little point-and-shoot camera (sorry for the quality on some)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkBrJWvWc-n6wBcytRLkkT0uNE-toq5Ryx6f4o08aB1wLryZYtHa-zPpZxm399gQ7d_7QXulkdw0v-RCkAifeRSkrNGPr36PEyGti0APCA-7MK_rQ9JRtaHMDc5LEeJab5lXHtS17uaE2/s1600/Summer+2010+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkBrJWvWc-n6wBcytRLkkT0uNE-toq5Ryx6f4o08aB1wLryZYtHa-zPpZxm399gQ7d_7QXulkdw0v-RCkAifeRSkrNGPr36PEyGti0APCA-7MK_rQ9JRtaHMDc5LEeJab5lXHtS17uaE2/s400/Summer+2010+045.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbmgxr7SRl958Yol27KLqqNo4BozV2ndqktntTTOqKP6pIHIMhXKf9w7i1cNWUnRPt3ZCYr3FV4vu2fNJzUPJkQOx-DLxKHnoT2OFQcReC37hoKjHHnR5MIzHwLseudGk022ZxTtSFqc5/s1600/Summer+2010+049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbmgxr7SRl958Yol27KLqqNo4BozV2ndqktntTTOqKP6pIHIMhXKf9w7i1cNWUnRPt3ZCYr3FV4vu2fNJzUPJkQOx-DLxKHnoT2OFQcReC37hoKjHHnR5MIzHwLseudGk022ZxTtSFqc5/s400/Summer+2010+049.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This next one shows the wind...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7Q_wiN15fgTbsPhn0MQEicOhW_AHziAkKGKXAl1WqJPCXhow95vgiMQn05ajRR1877GYgNk2ewF5tubYwJO9EnzgXAPjTb7SuacH7q7o7F77Bjge-4gC1Ohb-O6e7BeIx9LFZOqQWE9M/s1600/Summer+2010+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7Q_wiN15fgTbsPhn0MQEicOhW_AHziAkKGKXAl1WqJPCXhow95vgiMQn05ajRR1877GYgNk2ewF5tubYwJO9EnzgXAPjTb7SuacH7q7o7F77Bjge-4gC1Ohb-O6e7BeIx9LFZOqQWE9M/s400/Summer+2010+052.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-Z8tdSvtn8Af-sXAqPe58Cu4__oIXsisjJaHlX7KddMfallcIVJLAcpiNIgY2M7-QP5ya9N-mhwoJDqRRr6J07m_GgSd7YHuVh1PJeMejYwc_KYWVkoQpWOtwEjDBc4snSelQPWA8ZVM/s1600/Summer+2010+053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-Z8tdSvtn8Af-sXAqPe58Cu4__oIXsisjJaHlX7KddMfallcIVJLAcpiNIgY2M7-QP5ya9N-mhwoJDqRRr6J07m_GgSd7YHuVh1PJeMejYwc_KYWVkoQpWOtwEjDBc4snSelQPWA8ZVM/s400/Summer+2010+053.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiI9NZQMpup7OSOrRdoxy74eNpF-GdapC_VsiZ-fGRu4yQDMNTnkAmmvDm3d18SIgPbFeN_hiU5iVvx4gdh-9tNKCA4JpWjoajZhyphenhyphen5ZgQuTRWBU-GZmiIQvO54CPwVnG60X9czCJivBOmf/s1600/Summer+2010+054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiI9NZQMpup7OSOrRdoxy74eNpF-GdapC_VsiZ-fGRu4yQDMNTnkAmmvDm3d18SIgPbFeN_hiU5iVvx4gdh-9tNKCA4JpWjoajZhyphenhyphen5ZgQuTRWBU-GZmiIQvO54CPwVnG60X9czCJivBOmf/s400/Summer+2010+054.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Looking at these pictures helps remind me to look for the beauty around me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes I get caught up in the sage brush and sparse landscapes, lack of trees and general changes in topography. But then I see a beautiful sunset, and I am reminded of that tiny little thing called perspective.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">What do you do to find beauty in your surroundings?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Hugs,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/166/313738DE6F5C6023A83DBE6A76FC773B.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> </div>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-43308151714884338772010-07-18T08:00:00.002-06:002010-07-18T21:52:46.405-06:00Garden update!<div style="text-align: center;">Here's another installment in the unofficial series <i>Makin' Mama Proud</i>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm sure she loves seeing these pictures! </div><div style="text-align: center;">:)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzUOrpVZYiKX3CVRzH6IEHlkgRrN0sKKvpEj7nN-gv13TXyNEHhzf6A066YvzpMN3ZhYBfKznIFM2NV5IhKCkPefUhrjIvrlLUFBu7NuIvV0Q0GMNZ6ebHsIDFHyIrC6m3kpMtuG5-Q3_/s1600/Garden+7-17-10+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzUOrpVZYiKX3CVRzH6IEHlkgRrN0sKKvpEj7nN-gv13TXyNEHhzf6A066YvzpMN3ZhYBfKznIFM2NV5IhKCkPefUhrjIvrlLUFBu7NuIvV0Q0GMNZ6ebHsIDFHyIrC6m3kpMtuG5-Q3_/s640/Garden+7-17-10+001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is one of the Big Bertha Sweet peppers I planted (I have two varieties in there).</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's hard to tell from this angle, but the pepper is already 6 inches long and still has half its growing season to go!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaJmcE-VIjzmqpICeSSBbQDZfJMB2PhBzzW_DkqXYJOzen6ynmDpmjuu4PModeCNNvnCNqbgRU-0ImW_Is6BAfR-KG72ulIF-bLQBqnIneNwSLwLlMVtHcW_ZCTaJB84KsNW41E6RaU7T/s1600/Garden+7-17-10+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaJmcE-VIjzmqpICeSSBbQDZfJMB2PhBzzW_DkqXYJOzen6ynmDpmjuu4PModeCNNvnCNqbgRU-0ImW_Is6BAfR-KG72ulIF-bLQBqnIneNwSLwLlMVtHcW_ZCTaJB84KsNW41E6RaU7T/s640/Garden+7-17-10+003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This picture is just a close-up to show you how I staked them down. </div><div style="text-align: center;">In my last garden post, I asked about supporting the droopy tomato plants, and this is what I came up with:</div><div style="text-align: center;">12-inch tall dowel rods, and old knee-high panty hose. As these mondo peppers grow larger by the day, I needed to support them as well as the tomatoes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJWvPIvTLM3n06zgFkp_mwC8XX9Q2x7kqI3ywTFYGOzNN_yuckHbbfOpiGiq8z9kYvBckfhd4xTOx1N5wUaMMgO_W2ppFMsYi-n2SIxjT93Ro48KSIEtgh97ZtTR8qd6sE4ztCbKNHOtG/s1600/Garden+7-17-10+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJWvPIvTLM3n06zgFkp_mwC8XX9Q2x7kqI3ywTFYGOzNN_yuckHbbfOpiGiq8z9kYvBckfhd4xTOx1N5wUaMMgO_W2ppFMsYi-n2SIxjT93Ro48KSIEtgh97ZtTR8qd6sE4ztCbKNHOtG/s640/Garden+7-17-10+020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> Here are some of the blooms on one of the "Bell Boy" regular bell pepper plants.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7Xas2dnSs5D6SGSNWjBDwzKg6zOLUX00CponTPWUIB8ZZbU30QCHcMHXy4zirNYGaImT7QQE4fgub1p0XGVOlok6nQRX1LA4nsCh3ZACzeHV02tDXV87YMTG3TJkqQDsqSp7kPgV2FjC/s1600/Garden+7-17-10+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7Xas2dnSs5D6SGSNWjBDwzKg6zOLUX00CponTPWUIB8ZZbU30QCHcMHXy4zirNYGaImT7QQE4fgub1p0XGVOlok6nQRX1LA4nsCh3ZACzeHV02tDXV87YMTG3TJkqQDsqSp7kPgV2FjC/s640/Garden+7-17-10+004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a close-up of one of my tomatoes :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is one of two fruits on the 4th of July plant (I planted one of these, and 4 Goliath plants)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaenYXHbnBWXMB7x4mdciBlqfJ2FfzRfumaoMYwBZKZ9ITiXqFIC0aEv5prkXktCP6nNEOV6slt3JdEgD01_RXi3P3TF9mdKnDgkGNNAsSmcGr3UkTT0dVFv1MwItgqcL35L0LEaKJdqDN/s1600/Garden+7-17-10+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaenYXHbnBWXMB7x4mdciBlqfJ2FfzRfumaoMYwBZKZ9ITiXqFIC0aEv5prkXktCP6nNEOV6slt3JdEgD01_RXi3P3TF9mdKnDgkGNNAsSmcGr3UkTT0dVFv1MwItgqcL35L0LEaKJdqDN/s640/Garden+7-17-10+008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's the vegetable bed!</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Far cry from <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8Gg-zpbBRDLcjOLjkVwf9oA38E47fbfTga-DcYG17LsV5iQK7uCFbkQtIThB9rmZCGW98vkJWTHECP5JrRUgy6p_CH2yAPFhVfDo60bNiDMWaNaUxibQMUdJ1zMwKQgT1AXF2BsOHw-2/s1600/05-22-2010+080.jpg">this picture</a> I last showed you, eh?)</div><div style="text-align: center;">The huge-o plant handing over the edge is one of the Goliath variety tomato plants.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The rows of plants in this picture are, from right to left: </div><div style="text-align: center;">strawberries (3), tomatoes (5), peppers (8), onions (10), and herbs (2 chives, 2 parsley)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79NLYOnttYpTItBI6P2ln_hEgQkWTqJJf5_mxiE67LZYTzsQfnEyJ7z9OsXDq0Wx-iT4-QmUJOKxxqZfPVvVtdDtsKXbPEiuV2JlRp1-gRcGUcFMSkEE15SIEu25NLZDfCr2kW9AtPd8v/s1600/Garden+7-17-10+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79NLYOnttYpTItBI6P2ln_hEgQkWTqJJf5_mxiE67LZYTzsQfnEyJ7z9OsXDq0Wx-iT4-QmUJOKxxqZfPVvVtdDtsKXbPEiuV2JlRp1-gRcGUcFMSkEE15SIEu25NLZDfCr2kW9AtPd8v/s640/Garden+7-17-10+006.jpg" width="355" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ftzfpqrT2U8ttmW7MeEv9Pq98VwSrBcAX7TD0vRd-WPI703Yf4UMkIS18uJZ2VZzgNbXKwh0fJeC8lP5Ln6nYqjSU9cUR9lNuhU5SkcgatYWzz_-EU0oEYbGO2HndgbmQagrJQbjdBJ5/s1600/Garden+7-17-10+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ftzfpqrT2U8ttmW7MeEv9Pq98VwSrBcAX7TD0vRd-WPI703Yf4UMkIS18uJZ2VZzgNbXKwh0fJeC8lP5Ln6nYqjSU9cUR9lNuhU5SkcgatYWzz_-EU0oEYbGO2HndgbmQagrJQbjdBJ5/s640/Garden+7-17-10+007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I just picked a whole bowl of strawberries yesterday (mostly off of one plant!), but these two weren't quite ripe yet, so I just got them today.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdMboMyAa0apknVmpCu_dWiXHZZz9pSCZhpL_8gmUpaoQ7Po2wZjMM05bQ3aZ_cWgET0UenGCvVeQSzgOn2ltO2HhtNZfZAy4gyNTOM9Fnsx7v3a14LB3lexNehokEc6uBoNBWdYK_SPr/s1600/Garden+7-17-10+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdMboMyAa0apknVmpCu_dWiXHZZz9pSCZhpL_8gmUpaoQ7Po2wZjMM05bQ3aZ_cWgET0UenGCvVeQSzgOn2ltO2HhtNZfZAy4gyNTOM9Fnsx7v3a14LB3lexNehokEc6uBoNBWdYK_SPr/s640/Garden+7-17-10+010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Here's a look at the <a href="http://doresespieces.blogspot.com/2010/06/garden-update.html">Acid Lover's bed</a>. :)<br />
This one has 4 blueberry bushes in it, and about 10 raspberry plants.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEus3_xVX1gyw7fkEPn3fH8jXSoZ-Byj2GEn3pYAZpWuYGxuqWs5pHhxJBr5QfDLcZD25o-QSo7yNwuSa21UC9zQ_Z0RUr8OIVpi8Rt4iNM6rX8FDoXBkyhOdh927_GV_mAWh7k4WNmAVq/s1600/Garden+7-17-10+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEus3_xVX1gyw7fkEPn3fH8jXSoZ-Byj2GEn3pYAZpWuYGxuqWs5pHhxJBr5QfDLcZD25o-QSo7yNwuSa21UC9zQ_Z0RUr8OIVpi8Rt4iNM6rX8FDoXBkyhOdh927_GV_mAWh7k4WNmAVq/s640/Garden+7-17-10+011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The raspberries are coming along GREAT!<br />
I can't wait for some fresh smoothies this summer! :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV24HCHxRQauvDlNs2aIPvHTWoI6IhH7gRXpDUj0bzwizSQfmNkoWXieX3a01HWInjwpaZV6YgeiIxY9t4PjteExm4Ugs_u0KJs4ajCs1MFQGX5ktr6gBRjyOwb0uiZcH1TAcUQ6COau6D/s1600/Garden+7-17-10+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV24HCHxRQauvDlNs2aIPvHTWoI6IhH7gRXpDUj0bzwizSQfmNkoWXieX3a01HWInjwpaZV6YgeiIxY9t4PjteExm4Ugs_u0KJs4ajCs1MFQGX5ktr6gBRjyOwb0uiZcH1TAcUQ6COau6D/s640/Garden+7-17-10+017.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>As far as whether the blueberry bushes would thrive, or even survive, in my experimental pH bed,<br />
this picture should answer the query:<br />
This is ONE PLANT. Those huge leaves on the right are part of the plant in the front left, back left, center, and back right of the picture. (See the how much they've grown, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8Gg-zpbBRDLcjOLjkVwf9oA38E47fbfTga-DcYG17LsV5iQK7uCFbkQtIThB9rmZCGW98vkJWTHECP5JrRUgy6p_CH2yAPFhVfDo60bNiDMWaNaUxibQMUdJ1zMwKQgT1AXF2BsOHw-2/s1600/05-22-2010+080.jpg">here</a>.) One plant! :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVmch8QzC3JSjNsvXfWghJgtVpljbOdun2fq9V3R_JfMVBnH2kQXkqNCR0M4P9OeaEkywTdVsFOorTb-9d1z7Xqp_tireA5dPi7K5F4Rywp7PJ6GDNdfPrs9ZYVRZq7RDonUtAAGUrsZb/s1600/Garden+7-17-10+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVmch8QzC3JSjNsvXfWghJgtVpljbOdun2fq9V3R_JfMVBnH2kQXkqNCR0M4P9OeaEkywTdVsFOorTb-9d1z7Xqp_tireA5dPi7K5F4Rywp7PJ6GDNdfPrs9ZYVRZq7RDonUtAAGUrsZb/s640/Garden+7-17-10+014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Some more of the season's early bounty<br />
{LOVE these little sweeties!}<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/166/313738DE6F5C6023A83DBE6A76FC773B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-15394150023809192412010-07-17T14:48:00.001-06:002010-07-17T14:49:29.232-06:00Weekend Recipe: Fruity Ham<div style="text-align: center;">Welcome back to the return of the Weekend Recipe series! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm so excited to share this recipe with you. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's nothing spectacular; in fact, I just sort of created it one day and haven't gone back to boring ham since! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, and it takes very little time to throw together!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsyhzYlfUzvPjOc3M-W8QFjIRKM2q1-8_x5DFw6dC7BOLV2Id0-V3gpjhUIydlfzNrnd4KHbGsKGmuQFJi3oWpEIJtpLzGJQPpb0ENN_zSujCgNkA0fMybBl8yZkTZDv0aJfrhd9XO-Nm/s1600/05-22-2010+031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsyhzYlfUzvPjOc3M-W8QFjIRKM2q1-8_x5DFw6dC7BOLV2Id0-V3gpjhUIydlfzNrnd4KHbGsKGmuQFJi3oWpEIJtpLzGJQPpb0ENN_zSujCgNkA0fMybBl8yZkTZDv0aJfrhd9XO-Nm/s400/05-22-2010+031.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Fruity Ham</span><br />
<br />
1 Ham, any size or shape<br />
1 Can pineapple slices<br />
1 Jar any fruit preserves (I used apricot this time)<br />
<br />
Put your ham in an oven-proof pan (or throw it in the ol' crock pot, if it will fit!)<br />
Secure pineapple slices around the ham usingtoothpicks.<br />
Brush the entire exposed surface with fruit preserves.<br />
<br />
Now, if you're cooking it in your crock pot, just cover it and let it go!<br />
(My crock pot was too small for this particular ham, so I put it in a regular old casserole dish to bake it in the oven.)<br />
Cover with foil and throw this puppy in your oven.<br />
Following the directions on the package my ham came in, it said to bake the ham at 250 degrees for 2-3 hours. Mine baked for about 2.25 and it was perfect.<br />
<br />
See all those juices in the bottom of the dish? They make a delicious gravy if you mix them into a roux of fat and flour (like any gravy). I just melt a little bit of butter, add the juices, and then some flour and heat it until it thickens.<br />
<br />
If you're somewhat new to cooking (like I swear I feel like every time I try to think of what to cook for dinner...), don't be afraid to try things out! I discovered this delicious ham because I remembered seeing hams with pineapple rings on them, and decided the half-jar of apricot preserves in my fridge might be put to good use if I threw it in, too. Et voila!<br />
<br />
Have you made any delicious discoveries in the kitchen? I'd love to hear them!<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/166/313738DE6F5C6023A83DBE6A76FC773B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> </div>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-34470276652612242192010-07-14T11:07:00.000-06:002010-08-26T16:27:33.954-06:00Amazing bookshelf transformation!<div style="text-align: center;">I discovered Amanda at <a href="http://thehandmedownhouse.blogspot.com/">The Hand Me Down House</a> only a few weeks ago,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and I was instantly hooked! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Check out this <a href="http://thehandmedownhouse.blogspot.com/2010/07/let-me-start-by-telling-you.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheHandMeDownHouse+%28The+Hand+Me+Down+House%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher">amazing bookcase transformation</a>:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUQt6J0Cfj1isYgmtjSfiVP8hv3fPzEMy3flHn0I5mifr-dK0n4_jix1hKL50psiMCqQ2l-I4A1e9jhPBCO-GMKCu5aFMC3lu-C-OY-98h9xPUJq8LRt7YcsA2WGf0Fl2MfxwPqaZkNgv/s1600/Glass_Door_Shelf_020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDUQt6J0Cfj1isYgmtjSfiVP8hv3fPzEMy3flHn0I5mifr-dK0n4_jix1hKL50psiMCqQ2l-I4A1e9jhPBCO-GMKCu5aFMC3lu-C-OY-98h9xPUJq8LRt7YcsA2WGf0Fl2MfxwPqaZkNgv/s320/Glass_Door_Shelf_020.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkz3FwgRQiHxwoefsD7cB1jkLJsaKQZwgjgjktKHfRMgD9R5IkWYMLFkEuGdwuZDypQK0kH-OhbSFCFE54ZKZT5bJiwheXyh6b3q36hiCZ1dh4fttrHVRStvtxjFAFpbACz3iL_XVuAFJ/s1600/Glass_Door_Shelf_080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkz3FwgRQiHxwoefsD7cB1jkLJsaKQZwgjgjktKHfRMgD9R5IkWYMLFkEuGdwuZDypQK0kH-OhbSFCFE54ZKZT5bJiwheXyh6b3q36hiCZ1dh4fttrHVRStvtxjFAFpbACz3iL_XVuAFJ/s320/Glass_Door_Shelf_080.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
I saw this yesterday and couldn't believe the simplicity of it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I actually started this post yesterday afternoon, but didn't have time to finish it up until now.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And it's a good thing! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Check out this <a href="http://thehandmedownhouse.blogspot.com/2010/06/pottery-barn-inspired-chandelier.html">chandalier transformation</a>, and what she made with the <a href="http://thehandmedownhouse.blogspot.com/2010/07/mod-podge-strikes-again.html">leftover lantern casing</a> using <em>Mod Podge</em>!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSNtz2v00HWWPQErilam3IiWUhL3ZddyXX5HRo0EPsPXWraCudvHUF6TddFa_Ruvk9_eyAuU9IKudDBogP8rVSt1w87zeCsWS71VZuKMu3dezYRQ5V_y8M4nL84H-5f0Vhq54OiebXijz/s1600/lantern1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSNtz2v00HWWPQErilam3IiWUhL3ZddyXX5HRo0EPsPXWraCudvHUF6TddFa_Ruvk9_eyAuU9IKudDBogP8rVSt1w87zeCsWS71VZuKMu3dezYRQ5V_y8M4nL84H-5f0Vhq54OiebXijz/s320/lantern1.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfVXeJKcaR9G9MS-NVUsOgM2Z4tpdf91uKY5PJ9og6uPFlekLjA9U0u9GHgWQpY_J9RiquwiV_L1Vn0l33Dy9d9xjRrUCjVMMBKNdoHrwvWDylHiexmVM49KJHi5p7BniscnSXD2pmrrQ/s1600/lantern2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfVXeJKcaR9G9MS-NVUsOgM2Z4tpdf91uKY5PJ9og6uPFlekLjA9U0u9GHgWQpY_J9RiquwiV_L1Vn0l33Dy9d9xjRrUCjVMMBKNdoHrwvWDylHiexmVM49KJHi5p7BniscnSXD2pmrrQ/s320/lantern2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PX-pIp8mGvP8VGrz-jQ6DgqT3jkr6HlxXUFAMlUvI0wdbl_7r5TeLNHYpETUGf9nmXd4vYMMKKBylRhruNEEwA2POF8qCqp1CacCpspnHH8fWiKUQVDlBOHZdFIMS4ZqNl1r0mnIyIUg/s320/lantern3.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are those project links again:</div><div style="text-align: center;">For the bookcase makeover, click <a href="http://thehandmedownhouse.blogspot.com/2010/07/let-me-start-by-telling-you.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheHandMeDownHouse+%28The+Hand+Me+Down+House%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher">here</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">For the original chandalier makeover, click <a href="http://thehandmedownhouse.blogspot.com/2010/06/pottery-barn-inspired-chandelier.html">here</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">and for her outdoor lantern, click <a href="http://thehandmedownhouse.blogspot.com/2010/07/mod-podge-strikes-again.html">here</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So go visit Amanda at <a href="http://thehandmedownhouse.blogspot.com/">The Hand Me Down House</a>, but be prepared to stay a while!</div><br />
<br />
Happy Wednesday!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/166/313738DE6F5C6023A83DBE6A76FC773B.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a> </div>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-59119391321373223142010-07-10T11:16:00.000-06:002010-07-10T11:16:09.069-06:00Well sheesh!<div style="text-align: center;">I have always found so much inspiration and so many good ideas from "linky parties". Do you know what I'm talking about? For examples, check out the following that are happening right now: <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2010/07/weekend-wrap-up-party-and.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FOivM+%28Tatertots+and+Jello%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher">here</a>, <a href="http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/2010/07/sundae-scoop-1000-followers-giveaway.html">here</a>, and <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/07/before-and-after-party-craigslist-love.html">here</a> (to name only a few).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am one woman who has benefited enormously by the project ideas and helpful information shared in these "parties" - it's like one-stop-shopping! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not long ago, I started sharing some of my own projects and ideas by linking up to some of the different parties around. I wanted to contribute back to the wealth of knowledge I had borrowed from, and maybe help inspire someone else.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So this morning, I saw an increase in traffic on the ol' blog. Curious, I checked around a bit, only to find:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/"><img alt="giveaways" height="125" src="http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n454/jamielynnye/chocolate_Page_01.jpg" width="125" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">!!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm so excited! I mean, it's bound to happen that you get noticed <i>eventually</i>, but I wasn't really expecting it to happen to <i>me</i>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So welcome, visitors! We'd love for you to stick around!</div><br />
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<br />
Have a great weekend!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/166/313738DE6F5C6023A83DBE6A76FC773B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> </div>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-61081781221402276642010-07-07T15:04:00.000-06:002010-07-07T15:04:32.245-06:00Refinished table follow-up<div style="text-align: center;">I noticed some enthusiasm and can-do attitude coming out of the comments on <a href="http://doresespieces.blogspot.com/2010/07/refinishing-project-kitchen-table-and.html">yesterdays post</a> about this table's transformation:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyPk8oHCP3Vj7Z5UCd3xZHUWi08fMHWfxxeFt6xakzQj7dtR4AwXGWr-rsBS963qd0RJ4pppSLNczyq-Qa7dT7h51-gY_oRCjyvvsafNRFsGe5UcHqgv31DY3Mgxg91wT76kLO0jpxAl3/s1600/05-22-2010_036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyPk8oHCP3Vj7Z5UCd3xZHUWi08fMHWfxxeFt6xakzQj7dtR4AwXGWr-rsBS963qd0RJ4pppSLNczyq-Qa7dT7h51-gY_oRCjyvvsafNRFsGe5UcHqgv31DY3Mgxg91wT76kLO0jpxAl3/s400/05-22-2010_036.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">And I just want to say I'm so touched by your comments! Thanks everyone! </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I also remembered as I read through them, that I had learned quite a few lessons from this particular project - and if you're taking my tutorial as the book, there are some things I would like to attach at the end.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">So how about this alternate title?</div><div align="center">A Tutorial: <em>Before and After</em> :)</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">First things first:</span> </div><div align="center">Priming and painting the spindles on the backs of the chairs was pure torture! I discovered spray paint had a primer counterpart after I finished this project, and I would definitely try this route, were I to do another project with any amount of detail or intricacy. I bought some, and tried it, on <a href="http://doresespieces.blogspot.com/2010/06/coasters-and-confession_10.html">this project</a>. And it worked like a charm. :)</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Secondly:</span></div><div align="center">I don't know why I thought I HAD to use oil-based primer, because you absolutely do NOT. I read it on one lady's blog who refinishes furniture as a business, and this was part of her technique. I took it as golden information and stopped searching. Oil-based primer is THICK. And STINKY. And doesn't wash out of brushes easily. It seriously became my mortal enemy. <br />
<br />
{But if you've got some already in your garage, or you just want to give it a try, you can certainly go the oil-based route. It did get the job done, after all.} <br />
<br />
You can definitely do this same technique with water-based primer (including my new BFFE spray primer!). Just don't skip the "rough-it-up-a-bit" step before priming, and you're good. </div><div align="center"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thirdsies:</span><br />
I bought water-based polycrylic instead of polyurethane, because that's what the very helpful man who sold me <a href="http://doresespieces.blogspot.com/2010/07/refinishing-project-kitchen-table-and.html">the wonder paint brush</a> (my other new BFFE) told me to do. He said it's important to keep oil-based with oil-based mediums, and water-based with water-based mediums. (i.e., where I was putting it over water-based paint, I should use a water-based protector). <br />
<br />
{though somehow this tidbit of information failed to register with me when I bought the water-based paint to go over the oil-based primer...}<br />
<br />
Well.<br />
I followed his advice, and all was well in the world. Until I put the <strike>seventy-fifth</strike> 6th coat of the stuff on the table top, allowed it to dry overnight, then checked it again, just to see <br />
it. still. needed. more. of. that. freaking. stuff.<br />
<br />
And to this day, it is STILL weak. I finally just gave up and decided to allow my set to obtain the distressed look over time, because nothing I was doing was going to protect it further. <br />
<br />
Seriously. I finished it on a Saturday, and eight days later on the Sunday of the following week, we had a laptop on the table to work out our budget. The little rubber "feet" on the bottom of the laptop pulled up some of the finsh coat and left indents in the surface. A week later. <br />
<br />
Are ya' kidding me?!?<br />
<br />
I was a just a little torqued.<br />
<br />
Were I to do this again, I would just use the dang polyurethane. What was my big worry in the first place? <br />
Oh, discoloring. That's right. Good thing I didn't get any discoloring...in my...black...paint. Right. I was using black paint. What the what? Why was I so worried, people?!?<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Fourth:</span><br />
Following the directions on the can, as well as everything I had read, I sanded after the first coat of poly...<br />
and had to repaint that part of the test chair and start over. All it did was scuff up what had previously been a clear coat and made it cloudy. Which did not go away with a second coat of poly.<br />
<br />
Then I realized my sandpaper was not fine-grained enough. So take that step seriously. :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Five for fighting:</span><br />
If your first project of a refinishing nature happens to be large-scale, detailed, and something of importance to you (let's just say your kitchen table and 6 chairs, for our hypothetical example)...<br />
Give. Yourself. Plenty. Of. Time.<br />
<br />
Seriously, can't stress this one enough, folks. I got so frustrated with the passing days that I STILL wasn't using my table for its intended purpose, and just stopped caring by the very end. That's why I gave up after 6 coats of polycrylic, when what it really needed were about 6,000 more coats.<br />
<br />
So plan ahead to know what you're getting yourself into, and what kind of time is going to be involved.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Last but not least:</span><br />
Don't let this deter your intentions or your confidence in refinishing your own table or other furniture. No matter how much those scuffs on my supposed-to-be beautiful new tabletop bothered me and made me itch and scratch, I got over it. Didn't think I ever would, but I've been living with it for a month or so now, and I don't even notice it anymore. <br />
<br />
And no matter what, the table still looks a gazeeeelion times better than it did before I painted it.<br />
Plus, as long as the distressed look is in, my table looks fabulously <em>in style</em>! <br />
<br />
<br />
I didn't post them to terrify you, just to make you aware of things that I didn't realize prior to getting started, and learned the hard way. Just take my mistakes as more information in your research, and you'll be lightyears ahead of where I was when I began the transformation from Okie Dokie Oakie to Black Beauty. :)<br />
<br />
Good luck!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/166/313738DE6F5C6023A83DBE6A76FC773B.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a> </div>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-45865186362630929432010-07-06T08:10:00.000-06:002010-07-06T10:27:40.029-06:00Refinishing Project: kitchen table and chairs<div style="text-align: center;">I don't really do anything small...<br />
So, naturally, my first project of a refinishing nature was my kitchen table and chairs. Of course. And because I just crash into these things head-first, I have NO before pictures. Naturally.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I do have this picture I thought to take about half-way through the process. This is the back of one of the bar stools that matched the table before it became a black beauty. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5cRej2GHgnjtFCwLSxDcSeei1IusJ4brzl8RCMM_6jVLk7RzWW4Ide5Tq46UYMG1ZdsWB629cpnHGLkgVJMbcKOv550XBH__ZQDA00MRjwN7GV8zqKap8FTi5x5ngU8VaCDHyVZ25qQx/s1600/04-17-2010+053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5cRej2GHgnjtFCwLSxDcSeei1IusJ4brzl8RCMM_6jVLk7RzWW4Ide5Tq46UYMG1ZdsWB629cpnHGLkgVJMbcKOv550XBH__ZQDA00MRjwN7GV8zqKap8FTi5x5ngU8VaCDHyVZ25qQx/s400/04-17-2010+053.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So <i>oak</i>. So<i> glossy</i>. So <i>what to do</i>? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I did <strike>at least an hour</strike> a <i>lot </i>of indisputable research, you know, reading other blogs, before I was sure there was one and only one way (more on this later) to tackle this beast of a first project: forget sanding, stripping, and scraping, and start with a coat of this stuff:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3KPgtkFmOU1mu9ZW3tA-E9gdVLEpD9yp03UVlW5LZ3Mue74Qw2TIIZrtnqUlzbDBrjPlu55kkvNO8mUIUAeHPhIHFDOkYmxROjFAvC5y9WFezhPEYSlhRh27p3Le3nLTBKS09Ior2uid/s1600/04-17-2010+039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3KPgtkFmOU1mu9ZW3tA-E9gdVLEpD9yp03UVlW5LZ3Mue74Qw2TIIZrtnqUlzbDBrjPlu55kkvNO8mUIUAeHPhIHFDOkYmxROjFAvC5y9WFezhPEYSlhRh27p3Le3nLTBKS09Ior2uid/s400/04-17-2010+039.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I just wiped each piece down, let it dry, then went to town on it with the stuff. Verdict: stinky, but not as bad as I expected. I started with one chair instead of tackling the table first (apparently I do have <i>some</i> inhibitions...) and learned right away that the stuff goes on thick and dries thick. I had to be very careful with every brush stroke, keeping the "grain" consistent, as well as not letting it go on too thickly. This was very tedious, and dragged on and on. Next time, I think I'll try a spray primer. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKxgqqw52dMnLQ3b7vpSUQiaAheBhTz5Qx5DyHhjLSJvXE3slv9CHQqIHri_NUxW47JgKLop8YJbtKxZNnq4DosH9X0DPgLna65he5wvhlIBh4Za4nolSVeGQza5npu8VnvUaj5UonHsk/s1600/04-17-2010+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKxgqqw52dMnLQ3b7vpSUQiaAheBhTz5Qx5DyHhjLSJvXE3slv9CHQqIHri_NUxW47JgKLop8YJbtKxZNnq4DosH9X0DPgLna65he5wvhlIBh4Za4nolSVeGQza5npu8VnvUaj5UonHsk/s320/04-17-2010+028.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYflRmMcX7cHRUMmT3DcWdArNmWXG5A2v4xLxVxIsmfOQVl3n4g-yPm_JfRCy6IefVQqMbViWRfBdCm-a75dUn0NkweUSBKncqO02EYs11wspjplVr3REKrQXitb1hoDMX7Z4VdgvIKfVo/s1600/04-17-2010+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYflRmMcX7cHRUMmT3DcWdArNmWXG5A2v4xLxVxIsmfOQVl3n4g-yPm_JfRCy6IefVQqMbViWRfBdCm-a75dUn0NkweUSBKncqO02EYs11wspjplVr3REKrQXitb1hoDMX7Z4VdgvIKfVo/s200/04-17-2010+029.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The next step (after allowing the piece to dry completely) is to lightly sand the whole thing, and then wipe it down with tack cloth. (I used a microfiber cloth and it worked great!) I picked up that rubber sanding block a few days into the project, and I will never sand again without it. First of all, it saved me a ton of time and sandpaper. And it cost less than $3. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtiAQYDs9MHsg7JHf_1_sE1cqFFftjfPKQCUgcYMWFoivvA08wr8JYVVMaiR_PWn7_SOrY2gVeTsL8aiN8NLmKJ9eCQ4w6JIH9YPlkod5lbh2MUHE9Ku0piGkrqZ7_Avocu1Oxr-c6sEv/s1600/04-17-2010+033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtiAQYDs9MHsg7JHf_1_sE1cqFFftjfPKQCUgcYMWFoivvA08wr8JYVVMaiR_PWn7_SOrY2gVeTsL8aiN8NLmKJ9eCQ4w6JIH9YPlkod5lbh2MUHE9Ku0piGkrqZ7_Avocu1Oxr-c6sEv/s200/04-17-2010+033.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XDNSsrL-0PF_vCjRWSU1O53Pm0NaAdAPXPSe72jWmqU7YAQymKGtuLBtvVK5N128SOxZSYTeZSMPx0hSB0agoMyKRa4eG6tw9FV-kuWBdW9zahBN6ANbnRVEE2LAAeqR6KlNjfI2qnY2/s1600/04-17-2010+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XDNSsrL-0PF_vCjRWSU1O53Pm0NaAdAPXPSe72jWmqU7YAQymKGtuLBtvVK5N128SOxZSYTeZSMPx0hSB0agoMyKRa4eG6tw9FV-kuWBdW9zahBN6ANbnRVEE2LAAeqR6KlNjfI2qnY2/s200/04-17-2010+045.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then comes the fun part! I chose to paint my table and chairs black to fit with a mini kitchen/dining area redo I've been slowly working on. The paint I used (and will continue to use, always and forever) was a semi-gloss latex by Behr. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMml7LCl2CXqM_arbecDAnb94O63Zgzujnyaa2jj-nWv_YzHImm4X-Am3GEJh3IijGP7m_6_VwQHptP9f_kh1bnBax8etTHhkwCKSlO9q9ZYlPTewPpBW04FxqcrRBDUbIvqEWsr027OB/s1600/04-17-2010+046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMml7LCl2CXqM_arbecDAnb94O63Zgzujnyaa2jj-nWv_YzHImm4X-Am3GEJh3IijGP7m_6_VwQHptP9f_kh1bnBax8etTHhkwCKSlO9q9ZYlPTewPpBW04FxqcrRBDUbIvqEWsr027OB/s400/04-17-2010+046.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Many people have their own go-to brand of paint, and for me, that's Behr. Hands down. When we bought and remodeled our house, we did the whole thing with one can of paint per room. It goes on smooth, and looks great with one coat. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">For funsies, we painted one wall and the lower part of a char rail on two walls of a room with Kilz latex paint, just to try it out. (Consumer Reports rated it higher than Behr, so we were curious). I'll just say that it didn't come close to even comparing. It was very watery and required at least two coats everywhere, with some spots needing three. We're sold on Behr. (You can find it at the Home Depot). <br />
<i>End unpaid advertisement.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">While I was picking up my paint at my favorite Orange Store, I also bought some brushes. The guy who mixed my paint was very helpful in suggesting this baby:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJdWzVM4uwjx2B9PBytg4rZjznau4YHxLmKO_fihtutP90wudMO-ZBSPLwVtvzj5C77pB7iH36X4S-Tn6W5wT-0iOyXlA9Z_iI62N0VZagKZw7xsuhcbZf9BTXV5xrC1h-Gwy72rxmaO9/s1600/04-17-2010+050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJdWzVM4uwjx2B9PBytg4rZjznau4YHxLmKO_fihtutP90wudMO-ZBSPLwVtvzj5C77pB7iH36X4S-Tn6W5wT-0iOyXlA9Z_iI62N0VZagKZw7xsuhcbZf9BTXV5xrC1h-Gwy72rxmaO9/s400/04-17-2010+050.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hey paint counter guy at Home Depot! Thanks for the recommendation!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's small, the handle is rubber, so it's flexible, the bristles are angled...it was so nice to use. Seriously, if you have a lot of painting in your future, grab one of these babies. The muscles in your hand will thank you.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvsc8-3ibOZlOMDSHUWZNgbGymjG_nZJiBJra9HluNj0WxbIp5rHDvuBLXFRCc0kps8ruIRv_4BT_28o5OfF52so06TF4xIa4S59PaYMStwX1vBpsycS2KgWO4TDMDeGVj4AD4lBmmD2_/s1600/04-17-2010+057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvsc8-3ibOZlOMDSHUWZNgbGymjG_nZJiBJra9HluNj0WxbIp5rHDvuBLXFRCc0kps8ruIRv_4BT_28o5OfF52so06TF4xIa4S59PaYMStwX1vBpsycS2KgWO4TDMDeGVj4AD4lBmmD2_/s400/04-17-2010+057.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just like with the primer, it's important to pay attention to detail and the "grain" when you paint. For these spindles, I would glob it on side to side, then go over it in long up and down strokes to smooth it out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEGoKhgsxIktjYTeNd6UdXVcM_DRMrCnNbM7xLF7o1MDooN9M3qiBOdHtPhbrDn9r_eGCd6QyjcfH2KOALuNYic61ulSrnIMG_0OSSDjW2ZaORu0iMOghDd-_lyitbtZai6bZDPN-Pcxh/s1600/04-17-2010+058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEGoKhgsxIktjYTeNd6UdXVcM_DRMrCnNbM7xLF7o1MDooN9M3qiBOdHtPhbrDn9r_eGCd6QyjcfH2KOALuNYic61ulSrnIMG_0OSSDjW2ZaORu0iMOghDd-_lyitbtZai6bZDPN-Pcxh/s200/04-17-2010+058.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAgltLjMIxSu8VXnqKv7f_qRyE1l2Cn9YGKeC-oZEuNszYcoiNKYppqDD6M5if-369z7-nbp6nDFVpHMIIhjg5ANVXAa2oFXilhYn5fN7qqAXwRzmDNThWvv5UeqvVuMxjGelNV8fybwA/s1600/04-17-2010+060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAgltLjMIxSu8VXnqKv7f_qRyE1l2Cn9YGKeC-oZEuNszYcoiNKYppqDD6M5if-369z7-nbp6nDFVpHMIIhjg5ANVXAa2oFXilhYn5fN7qqAXwRzmDNThWvv5UeqvVuMxjGelNV8fybwA/s200/04-17-2010+060.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Once your first coat dries, lightly sand again with a very fine grain sand paper, wipe it down, and then, if it needs it, give it a second coat. I don't know of any case where a second coat of black is not needed when covering white, and my chairs definitely needed a second coat. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are some shots of the table after the primer coat and the first coat of paint:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqC3LHbWRmdldLQhq8odmSQY8ltDaQMXxtUjStTZ9l2jow2n_vueDbceeGKv0Aj27d-popkiiSGvYPxFI3C1Bkma8fjdVTA91otnT1Ky0IGIO66J_7QRYdA6RuTj7EH7_m1shptKi1tuvo/s1600/04-17-2010+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqC3LHbWRmdldLQhq8odmSQY8ltDaQMXxtUjStTZ9l2jow2n_vueDbceeGKv0Aj27d-popkiiSGvYPxFI3C1Bkma8fjdVTA91otnT1Ky0IGIO66J_7QRYdA6RuTj7EH7_m1shptKi1tuvo/s200/04-17-2010+025.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnktECEtLlONq_9Paj9QMs2dqaadl0TpVjKTfUNEvAz4UjHr69VL8EWoSJrRDTW6mKrxqmoJNeiEi1DmdUGmOOt-BNU-fnYyGEQjkU1XhDq8MWisM03YY_vYLQTLjs_4zNcYNgRqXjatQA/s1600/04-17-2010+063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnktECEtLlONq_9Paj9QMs2dqaadl0TpVjKTfUNEvAz4UjHr69VL8EWoSJrRDTW6mKrxqmoJNeiEi1DmdUGmOOt-BNU-fnYyGEQjkU1XhDq8MWisM03YY_vYLQTLjs_4zNcYNgRqXjatQA/s200/04-17-2010+063.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And here's another helpful tip, and my instrument of choice for the tabletop:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0acUYs-VygHWgBpfOJGGfrJlZQyFnuTbdyj0OnxcsDFlK_5hETJH_X-3UrmMq_9mhwKQfIgSQP5gJ4U9U_FrxAns0Hk2M7oeU4UUVawZrMYu_rCH0AxdZJON4VdXJDr3iqnv1X00T3stm/s1600/04-17-2010+061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0acUYs-VygHWgBpfOJGGfrJlZQyFnuTbdyj0OnxcsDFlK_5hETJH_X-3UrmMq_9mhwKQfIgSQP5gJ4U9U_FrxAns0Hk2M7oeU4UUVawZrMYu_rCH0AxdZJON4VdXJDr3iqnv1X00T3stm/s320/04-17-2010+061.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Condensed foam rollers are my best friends on any smooth surface. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I have another project I'll share with you soon where I used this roller to paint a lot of bead board that will be very visible in my new dining area.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And there you have it! Beautiful updated furniture without a lot of cost.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeRsZSmY01m677TaIYQio3pT7BefARTC_tsowWNEbBtMaCWkjGwh_3QKOr8LCXdyk3yGVf5zJmfYwXJzL0kyGRCYe6TlOZXZDS1vhF_jyIk33KjJJeo7JuWBW9Ig-5Y4lBz8PGm3OZdwo/s1600/05-22-2010+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeRsZSmY01m677TaIYQio3pT7BefARTC_tsowWNEbBtMaCWkjGwh_3QKOr8LCXdyk3yGVf5zJmfYwXJzL0kyGRCYe6TlOZXZDS1vhF_jyIk33KjJJeo7JuWBW9Ig-5Y4lBz8PGm3OZdwo/s400/05-22-2010+036.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
So what do you think?</div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/166/313738DE6F5C6023A83DBE6A76FC773B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0pt; border-left: 0pt; border-right: 0pt; border-top: 0pt;" /></a>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-71830171490446630352010-07-03T10:54:00.000-06:002010-07-07T13:47:53.178-06:00A different sort of flag<div style="text-align: center;">I've been seeing these "stacks" everywhere...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKKkJPN9AJlVSSwiL9L4GvAMxiRIJXZjAvZCcLeO6AIzmTopPxAV8kf5C-6z96y-9hcz68SrxOpbmQ0JgBpHlYwv72e23mp0dJ0eFIphZz7peGl1L2tjHzo2tSiUBX0-YbKZEtrH6CHuM/s1600/build+a+quote+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKKkJPN9AJlVSSwiL9L4GvAMxiRIJXZjAvZCcLeO6AIzmTopPxAV8kf5C-6z96y-9hcz68SrxOpbmQ0JgBpHlYwv72e23mp0dJ0eFIphZz7peGl1L2tjHzo2tSiUBX0-YbKZEtrH6CHuM/s400/build+a+quote+009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Image via my friend Lacey at <a href="http://www.strawberrypearl.com/">Strawberry Pearl Studios</a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...or how about this one, from this past week's <a href="http://doresespieces.blogspot.com/2010/06/red-white-and-blue-inspiration-station.html">Inspiration Station</a>?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrjJHO3Mxku9hptW8W-Y-28nN3Ea8CHJnqi3FFI4bwVa6sCc1DgXdu0HIKlHTaKhVudQp6aiz05wEGUU2Ng_w_0-f-ux-FVjs-NhX8uMNXaOO2wEi5v0JjZVuYt0yyHrVyD4RUuIMWEGB/s1600/new1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrjJHO3Mxku9hptW8W-Y-28nN3Ea8CHJnqi3FFI4bwVa6sCc1DgXdu0HIKlHTaKhVudQp6aiz05wEGUU2Ng_w_0-f-ux-FVjs-NhX8uMNXaOO2wEi5v0JjZVuYt0yyHrVyD4RUuIMWEGB/s400/new1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Image via <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49203224/let-freedom-ring?ref=em">Punkin Seed Creations</a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, I needed <i>something </i>for a table in my front room. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It needed to be free-standing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And it needed to be bigger than <a href="http://doresespieces.blogspot.com/2010/06/quick-mid-week-pick-me-up.html">this Scentsy warmer</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">But not so big that it took over the whole table.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I saw this picture:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9t8SxR3emv-1sz2r14L3IakPemy5DtDjaJIW9_Kk9hsOThDB-kl0ncjD5xcCDf1IXHfOEbXDJAOQNBpwDp1lJgLZRTKPiriFEVJEtiBLhsVkcn4mYfXO0e4dIhzpym1eEb5kR67Fe8cc-/s1600/4th-of-july-050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9t8SxR3emv-1sz2r14L3IakPemy5DtDjaJIW9_Kk9hsOThDB-kl0ncjD5xcCDf1IXHfOEbXDJAOQNBpwDp1lJgLZRTKPiriFEVJEtiBLhsVkcn4mYfXO0e4dIhzpym1eEb5kR67Fe8cc-/s400/4th-of-july-050.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(via <a href="http://www.howdoesshe.com/cheap-home-decor">How Does She?</a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And I had my answer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfFXXZJRr8JXGgcfSwPGIdgP0MpmW3yTo97zG5L2ceKK8Pc7Ga8oD1UMYcbzhzsoQYj9l-Juclfd_CHaaBSc0pxvw5FYBjZq3SGbmH1eCGMGUU4ZfPat02lTuhZx_oBdL8w5z5yAPmjIT/s1600/2x4+flag+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfFXXZJRr8JXGgcfSwPGIdgP0MpmW3yTo97zG5L2ceKK8Pc7Ga8oD1UMYcbzhzsoQYj9l-Juclfd_CHaaBSc0pxvw5FYBjZq3SGbmH1eCGMGUU4ZfPat02lTuhZx_oBdL8w5z5yAPmjIT/s400/2x4+flag+004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">I constructed this out of scrap pieces of wood leftover from 2x4 studs.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's 9 inches tall, and 9 inches wide.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I started by drawing up the measurements, then cutting, sanding, and staining all sides of each piece.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I decided it was too dark and not really what I had in mind. </div><div style="text-align: center;">So I painted over it with two sloppy coats of Antique White paint, not wanting them to look too perfect.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After that, I traced the "front" of each piece on some scrapbook paper, then Mod Podged all of the papers to their coordinating blocks. While those dried, I cut out a 2 3/4 inch star on my Cricut and glued that to the blue block. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Once they were dry, I took my sander to them, then some distressing ink...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyBf5qVC7ovrotezfxtmX-tPSU4hHoWQNc40DkN4KtCYUGb1qjSHveKxsC3Kroa7v7y_Sd2BxyTX6-W7Sat-GTHHSwkmrRT9J9pDfH3ZemLWT67nd-tVxyN4eRUR5bRnA8Kb3ENeZzghI/s1600/2x4+flag+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyBf5qVC7ovrotezfxtmX-tPSU4hHoWQNc40DkN4KtCYUGb1qjSHveKxsC3Kroa7v7y_Sd2BxyTX6-W7Sat-GTHHSwkmrRT9J9pDfH3ZemLWT67nd-tVxyN4eRUR5bRnA8Kb3ENeZzghI/s400/2x4+flag+007.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(If you look closely, you can read the print on the "newsprint" scrapbook paper I used... It was a page I got on clearance, titled "Style Times" so all the text is about fashion-related topics. Kind of funny!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love how the dark stain shows through the white paint after I sanded it down. I tried to keep a rustic look as I went, and I just love how it turned out! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I just stacked them back together, and my flag was done! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2drvoLaegWMfLWoA8Ue68K7rTlZDEWf44jQgLtg2frojo_oKa4Nuc0h0SjsTbO5RgnmnuHzJeCJXOiNeqaxU5VVfiAIMZYnqzkbUkU_UJNTzyxnY30ch0FNtm9ISYjGs36Za8Mpu4cu4/s1600/2x4+flag+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2drvoLaegWMfLWoA8Ue68K7rTlZDEWf44jQgLtg2frojo_oKa4Nuc0h0SjsTbO5RgnmnuHzJeCJXOiNeqaxU5VVfiAIMZYnqzkbUkU_UJNTzyxnY30ch0FNtm9ISYjGs36Za8Mpu4cu4/s400/2x4+flag+003.jpg" width="223" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I hope I've inspired you to think about what you have laying around that you could throw together into something unique to your home. What have you made out of wood scraps?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Have a great holiday weekend, and happy Independence Day!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/166/313738DE6F5C6023A83DBE6A76FC773B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> </div>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-22655912706401468462010-06-30T12:23:00.000-06:002010-06-30T21:07:48.715-06:00An America sign<div style="text-align: center;">I grew up on the other side of the country from where I currently live, and have managed to keep in touch with my best childhood friend, Katie. She just came out to visit her sister last week and stopped by my place for a night and the next day. We had SO MUCH FUN catching up in person, eating snow cones, cooking blueberry pancakes, and getting our craft on.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's what we started that morning, that I just finished up today at lunch (and just in time for the 4th!):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHsWXQqp8rQCTPQ1C4YSBzSkNd0OyZLMHm_gscn_22YQQKqQrdHlROq_KtDWM7ovrwEBIe5k2LW2-02aEnNJ8Xx4V8pd0kHys61S8ImB6G1_8BSz14ZgkdupdjTQU2wlolF2jHA7SGyoc/s1600/05-22-2010+194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHsWXQqp8rQCTPQ1C4YSBzSkNd0OyZLMHm_gscn_22YQQKqQrdHlROq_KtDWM7ovrwEBIe5k2LW2-02aEnNJ8Xx4V8pd0kHys61S8ImB6G1_8BSz14ZgkdupdjTQU2wlolF2jHA7SGyoc/s400/05-22-2010+194.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's constructed of a 3/4" x 12" x 24" particle board, with particle board 1x1s stacked on top of it as the frame.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the totally distressed look for this piece. I hadn't planned on it at all, but Katie suggested doing a crackle coat on the base, and I was in love with it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We purposely roughed up the layers of paint as we went so it didn't look too nicey nice, which added even more to the over all rough and rustic look. </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RJRk8CBFDM8n4uOXjWIf4N_QT1ktpgNlEuQTYeyiE4x_kcHhlxxVn8h_CD1nVlaDoNAfqh-Pw5ic0zMIMGorEN8ydlpkSfLQSmuUJmYNEfj-w-h0h1-4Ha3Fn8YgrgMjwH4s1nF_cw3h/s1600/05-22-2010+161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RJRk8CBFDM8n4uOXjWIf4N_QT1ktpgNlEuQTYeyiE4x_kcHhlxxVn8h_CD1nVlaDoNAfqh-Pw5ic0zMIMGorEN8ydlpkSfLQSmuUJmYNEfj-w-h0h1-4Ha3Fn8YgrgMjwH4s1nF_cw3h/s400/05-22-2010+161.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">After the paint dried and I sanded the entire surface of the A (including right over the top of that vinyl star), I rubbed some stain over the whole thing with a sock, then went over it immediately with another sock I had dipped in water. I love how it turned out!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZNjZFWoKLo3woU96Wem-afOhiBCjaxg5pg6tKAs2CEJ0UTEj-YkxOvO-TBwk0N6npWml_1dZXiWV6kpmd7ALdNEni885wEOb2Qn5qtehNVhjFPAQ_SVDQfrn_BiPs_Mh7qGTvfakOYtM/s1600/05-22-2010+162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZNjZFWoKLo3woU96Wem-afOhiBCjaxg5pg6tKAs2CEJ0UTEj-YkxOvO-TBwk0N6npWml_1dZXiWV6kpmd7ALdNEni885wEOb2Qn5qtehNVhjFPAQ_SVDQfrn_BiPs_Mh7qGTvfakOYtM/s400/05-22-2010+162.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Then I sanded across the tops and edges of the blue frame</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0qcGwq2I4fu8Dw5YSgj1tIK2-axiy_TR5-xJ7c5AlNDGvXWEPNxXLuYpEPF5-eDcIPBI1Fs6WmaXecHA2Ee0Tfs9QCRZTP3f_u0aWZxrmAsuLM2NH1IBMDkBe70wbjuajlVTpBW7forg/s1600/05-22-2010+165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0qcGwq2I4fu8Dw5YSgj1tIK2-axiy_TR5-xJ7c5AlNDGvXWEPNxXLuYpEPF5-eDcIPBI1Fs6WmaXecHA2Ee0Tfs9QCRZTP3f_u0aWZxrmAsuLM2NH1IBMDkBe70wbjuajlVTpBW7forg/s400/05-22-2010+165.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And cut a saying I love out of brown vinyl on my Cricut (I used a program called <a href="http://www.craftedge.com/products/products.html">Sure Cuts A Lot 2</a>, which allows you to cut any font on your computer. I bought the program shortly after I bought my Cricut, and haven't bought ANY cartridges other than the ones that came with the machine. I love it!) </div><div style="text-align: center;">The font I chose is <a href="http://www.dafont.com/aquiline.font">Aquiline</a> from <a href="http://dafont.com/">Dafont.com</a>.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kgvfkFvAAb3q4_1U03rpHfGSp3fEi638aQ7ZiMqjaJ7KCp54HWLqmFBqKwTtTkWniY6lkgorHc8YoQKGbTNZnLSwnpCpb506tpnQQUnuokL0Q3swtFhWtTkHd0eBhX5LhyPIALL1Js0A/s1600/05-22-2010+163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kgvfkFvAAb3q4_1U03rpHfGSp3fEi638aQ7ZiMqjaJ7KCp54HWLqmFBqKwTtTkWniY6lkgorHc8YoQKGbTNZnLSwnpCpb506tpnQQUnuokL0Q3swtFhWtTkHd0eBhX5LhyPIALL1Js0A/s400/05-22-2010+163.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Isn't it beautiful? </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHsWXQqp8rQCTPQ1C4YSBzSkNd0OyZLMHm_gscn_22YQQKqQrdHlROq_KtDWM7ovrwEBIe5k2LW2-02aEnNJ8Xx4V8pd0kHys61S8ImB6G1_8BSz14ZgkdupdjTQU2wlolF2jHA7SGyoc/s1600/05-22-2010+194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHsWXQqp8rQCTPQ1C4YSBzSkNd0OyZLMHm_gscn_22YQQKqQrdHlROq_KtDWM7ovrwEBIe5k2LW2-02aEnNJ8Xx4V8pd0kHys61S8ImB6G1_8BSz14ZgkdupdjTQU2wlolF2jHA7SGyoc/s400/05-22-2010+194.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/166/313738DE6F5C6023A83DBE6A76FC773B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> </div>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-20083939751647371012010-06-29T15:42:00.000-06:002010-06-29T15:42:08.252-06:00Red, white, and blue Inspiration Station<div style="text-align: center;">I found myself just thinking "I wish I had one of those projects I've been working on finished, so I could blog about it today..." </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And as I looked through some pictures from around the web for more inspiration, I thought perhaps I would share what's been giving ME inspiration with YOU. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">There's a first time for <span style="color: black;">everything, so let's get on the road with this, the first ever </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><strong>Inspirarion Station</strong></span> </div><div style="text-align: center;">post here at Dorese's Pieces!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This Inspiration Station theme: <strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">Patriotic</span> Home <span style="color: blue;">Decor</span></strong></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKCRwx3nZYMl4LR37t_vgdJLWzYIKUWlZPJSdYRuGFdGcTfoUOKhyphenhyphenxYHRIjHnCMuvM2_SxQ74M6cr8xaWIoHsUjNiKrh1Iz__e1NROXc6x2zAWsjgX-_9cXYBrK3HkHcI0W0BrG_b3KNE/s1600/100_4660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKCRwx3nZYMl4LR37t_vgdJLWzYIKUWlZPJSdYRuGFdGcTfoUOKhyphenhyphenxYHRIjHnCMuvM2_SxQ74M6cr8xaWIoHsUjNiKrh1Iz__e1NROXc6x2zAWsjgX-_9cXYBrK3HkHcI0W0BrG_b3KNE/s400/100_4660.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">...from <a href="http://lindseyscraftlist.blogspot.com/2010/06/usa-blocks-with-tutorial.html">Inspiring Creations</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPipkyUhKOPphuOUnZvqmRfF9dj5Kkq5DMxGvFKY9e7DZEB7IwrEVGn0nJlDCk0pwfbM5p9XnHYumnhqg_IgpJg1Uk1E0NUC05gr5PMf8HySLwULrwfqdIcb1LtbjaJXvvCiU9UOF_rZ96/s1600/paper_samples_050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPipkyUhKOPphuOUnZvqmRfF9dj5Kkq5DMxGvFKY9e7DZEB7IwrEVGn0nJlDCk0pwfbM5p9XnHYumnhqg_IgpJg1Uk1E0NUC05gr5PMf8HySLwULrwfqdIcb1LtbjaJXvvCiU9UOF_rZ96/s200/paper_samples_050.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iXTcetls6uXUt4UiCNu3lmVV4pyXqe8ANtlKA5fkShCm6Sw6VYAEg6EI3HbvbAXCRY8T67NWC3Y5Qv55iMmM3Tpam_xZGflLYeQM-VR-1Pw23ZRCqWWf8CEk5hVUn_u-CMwLMGw3eeWp/s1600/new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iXTcetls6uXUt4UiCNu3lmVV4pyXqe8ANtlKA5fkShCm6Sw6VYAEg6EI3HbvbAXCRY8T67NWC3Y5Qv55iMmM3Tpam_xZGflLYeQM-VR-1Pw23ZRCqWWf8CEk5hVUn_u-CMwLMGw3eeWp/s200/new.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvhW5NmReUGlgjHtEfG3kfE6CnepOaJ5WnVrgs3QYJUOUsvanvfzla6RgWYp0BkJ7VeA5dXt-OUUlUtQcZoPb1zQU-wlCz28ka2wEGMuNtu5guuo1EoSgmGo89QC1Zrk9CIHZtSm5XRaI/s1600/new1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvhW5NmReUGlgjHtEfG3kfE6CnepOaJ5WnVrgs3QYJUOUsvanvfzla6RgWYp0BkJ7VeA5dXt-OUUlUtQcZoPb1zQU-wlCz28ka2wEGMuNtu5guuo1EoSgmGo89QC1Zrk9CIHZtSm5XRaI/s320/new1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">...from <a href="http://punkinseedproductions.blogspot.com/2010/06/old-glory.html">Punkin Seed Productions</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoADOi4sS5XjfYUwrhSaFEjDil6uq__8VcGrOSu5CdG7vlgJsC7Q02A086jzBhDpQwdZVYJiTUxdI-Qu4yUgTBzAg_y4dHKsisMl6v760vlWjoY0L7M_sBtqsZkDdvvprV71aA1fOYIODI/s1600/photos_034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoADOi4sS5XjfYUwrhSaFEjDil6uq__8VcGrOSu5CdG7vlgJsC7Q02A086jzBhDpQwdZVYJiTUxdI-Qu4yUgTBzAg_y4dHKsisMl6v760vlWjoY0L7M_sBtqsZkDdvvprV71aA1fOYIODI/s400/photos_034.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">...from <a href="http://mineforthemaking.blogspot.com/2010/06/pottery-barn-inspired.html">Mine for the Making</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDw_xeuiqs21kXpoJr5g0E8R8chFsUKzGxLDtmDXMDmUS1OZeo7T_idVbAAg7RwNqZcAaThGgRmr4aS6wpC8F04MKlWzsjPnXMEvmkXiVqgsw3OXgu7Lv0RSLOEG5NUwVDdfl4qYKGzV6/s1600/flowers_title_best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDw_xeuiqs21kXpoJr5g0E8R8chFsUKzGxLDtmDXMDmUS1OZeo7T_idVbAAg7RwNqZcAaThGgRmr4aS6wpC8F04MKlWzsjPnXMEvmkXiVqgsw3OXgu7Lv0RSLOEG5NUwVDdfl4qYKGzV6/s400/flowers_title_best.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...from <a href="http://oopsey-daisy.blogspot.com/2010/06/patriotic-denim-burlap-flowers.html">Oopsey Daisy</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRG-47b2EBTuKe8ye0Msufb2kOCUKvle0Rl34gppaDvKnkFfb2n8xLxK0IgHzD72mIoLYOCFxI_sBKCGoxm3YVHS6XDF3h3chu5WnLeQSX6VhcbG68LXadBuBUUSD1UQQQa4k-q9ztlHzd/s1600/flag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRG-47b2EBTuKe8ye0Msufb2kOCUKvle0Rl34gppaDvKnkFfb2n8xLxK0IgHzD72mIoLYOCFxI_sBKCGoxm3YVHS6XDF3h3chu5WnLeQSX6VhcbG68LXadBuBUUSD1UQQQa4k-q9ztlHzd/s320/flag1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">...from <a href="http://www.u-createcrafts.com/2009/06/guest-blogger-stacie-from-creative.html">the The Creative Crate, via UCreate</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRvWMVtMGYELVXPO-rnM9OqRAC7wGYc_PDNa7c8cHWa_ksxdIZXUAqpxH2vclBfpcNr7ENqbhohIGEtytNpCNNGvRfoi4hZYwx7BqR6I8-I7t1yFSVTI6XiGJjxGVqEC0CAAGPeSSisbr/s1600/patriotic_board_005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRvWMVtMGYELVXPO-rnM9OqRAC7wGYc_PDNa7c8cHWa_ksxdIZXUAqpxH2vclBfpcNr7ENqbhohIGEtytNpCNNGvRfoi4hZYwx7BqR6I8-I7t1yFSVTI6XiGJjxGVqEC0CAAGPeSSisbr/s400/patriotic_board_005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> ...from <a href="http://footballsanddaisies.blogspot.com/2010/05/patriotic-board.html">Footballs and Daisies</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00zHeLBnH_i1IfXpLRjUmCh3XHu-2-P-FE5wK-UT65quuSKq9y7HDv3VVwUmNO341Ps4qw9ktUzyGVqKvpdNeJ6zSncGezstpZSqdiRhS1ozbNl65zjeuPjXin5DcCQf4_Pkt2pSisCvv/s1600/firecrackers_title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00zHeLBnH_i1IfXpLRjUmCh3XHu-2-P-FE5wK-UT65quuSKq9y7HDv3VVwUmNO341Ps4qw9ktUzyGVqKvpdNeJ6zSncGezstpZSqdiRhS1ozbNl65zjeuPjXin5DcCQf4_Pkt2pSisCvv/s400/firecrackers_title.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">...another one from <a href="http://oopsey-daisy.blogspot.com/2010/06/flag-firecrackers.html">Oopsey Daisy</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusn7Iowbu92kmwkLLHmEVpGbwhL1UsDQcR2GjcvGxpzPLyWXzlqOQW2nIwncZlY2ZObcNairaI2IyHIlLoERhMQFYpzBLLqNP9I9aQolsLL3boYaRFWiRYRdmMex7himHiXk_A7kabOX1/s1600/082_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusn7Iowbu92kmwkLLHmEVpGbwhL1UsDQcR2GjcvGxpzPLyWXzlqOQW2nIwncZlY2ZObcNairaI2IyHIlLoERhMQFYpzBLLqNP9I9aQolsLL3boYaRFWiRYRdmMex7himHiXk_A7kabOX1/s400/082_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> ...from <a href="http://www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/">Thrifty Decor Chick</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FtT6c4Shq_1GAMPRqsZ-nfFhu8m250eLuC61zMG4IyFhklL5mBaJTLqRgsNznbx8sGtVDgFEVmQbE57ucQyrglQkLaAopDCr-ahzRF6Sbo9Pnqu-p8qqOnQ2wyyGKUMKhvz3s3QxSbqw/s1600/4th-of-july-050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FtT6c4Shq_1GAMPRqsZ-nfFhu8m250eLuC61zMG4IyFhklL5mBaJTLqRgsNznbx8sGtVDgFEVmQbE57ucQyrglQkLaAopDCr-ahzRF6Sbo9Pnqu-p8qqOnQ2wyyGKUMKhvz3s3QxSbqw/s400/4th-of-july-050.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>...from <a href="http://www.howdoesshe.com/cheap-home-decor">How Does She</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimxz31Co4NrCMtdXSOVDQCO8XzyOm083nSFUR5K7SqtbLVNmMvK1AkSjaJerDAm_ACxmkQY5yltwvc1-fdDTT90-Vvo3bNGBuiAzxb1oUlecZn3_ZlF5vP91PjoaB3LfJ5GW3pNah5DQB/s1600/Rustic_flag_15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimxz31Co4NrCMtdXSOVDQCO8XzyOm083nSFUR5K7SqtbLVNmMvK1AkSjaJerDAm_ACxmkQY5yltwvc1-fdDTT90-Vvo3bNGBuiAzxb1oUlecZn3_ZlF5vP91PjoaB3LfJ5GW3pNah5DQB/s400/Rustic_flag_15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>...from <a href="http://www.everycraftyendeavor.com/2010/06/garden-fourth-of-july-flag.html">Every Crafty Endeavor</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmptVUZBTwxjfW14WMvXabbMHueh2LKq-c-4Tu9szPZVNhuZiI0_citWieKjZe0NFuSdl2Qg9QrB_JzG3pJV_IUY5jnCaW64UsVpZSvK2kO1b8rBwOI7yx4Sqq9QhqA8Fl76Bi6YD6v6d/s1600/pillow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmptVUZBTwxjfW14WMvXabbMHueh2LKq-c-4Tu9szPZVNhuZiI0_citWieKjZe0NFuSdl2Qg9QrB_JzG3pJV_IUY5jnCaW64UsVpZSvK2kO1b8rBwOI7yx4Sqq9QhqA8Fl76Bi6YD6v6d/s400/pillow.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>...from <a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2010/06/painted-cabana-striped-pillows.html">Under the Table and Dreaming</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsc0I1l7bzC59KA1jEfpcij_CwqRGiEniW-fbjsr1RDxJ-5rmxnKWDxg-kHg__GAxLa8Cg2Tcvh0jQiJPZzCTwVwCWPuN7-4YzXCbGwln6SvTPd1-PFzYepdMOLrB5rysb1eIpyDf4It5/s1600/crate" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsc0I1l7bzC59KA1jEfpcij_CwqRGiEniW-fbjsr1RDxJ-5rmxnKWDxg-kHg__GAxLa8Cg2Tcvh0jQiJPZzCTwVwCWPuN7-4YzXCbGwln6SvTPd1-PFzYepdMOLrB5rysb1eIpyDf4It5/s400/crate" width="400" /></a></div>...and finally, this painted crate, from <a href="http://mynwnest.blogspot.com/2010/06/front-porch-crate.html">My Northwest Nest</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
If I can finish up my projects BEFORE the holiday for which they are intended, you can expect to see some sassy pictures of those in the next few days (since that's all we have left!)<br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy crafting!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/166/313738DE6F5C6023A83DBE6A76FC773B.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a></div>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-65657852199947170092010-06-22T14:12:00.001-06:002010-06-22T14:21:53.598-06:00Quick mid-week pick-me-up!<div align="center">Hi, my name is Dorese, and I have a problem:</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I LOVE holiday decor. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Doesn't matter if I do anything to celebrate the holiday or not, I just love to change it out. </div><div align="center">The wide world of blogging has only enabled this behavior. </div><div align="center">One teensy tiny problem, of course, is the cost. I love me some crafty crafts for decor, but I also don't have a lot of time to dedicate to my <strike>boxes</strike> neatly organized folders of "someday" crafts. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">So I buy stuff. And change it or update it to make it my own.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Case in point: <a href="http://www.scentsy.net/en-us/index.aspx">Scentsy warmers</a>. You've heard of <a href="http://www.scentsy.net/en-us/index.aspx">Scentsy</a>, right? Yeah, me too. It's another problem I have. I bought a new warmer for Christmas last year, just 'cus they're so FUN and they totally contribute to the HOLIDAY DECOR! But then I had to have one in the now-empty space I had plopped my winter one. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">And they cost around $30 a piece. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Needless to say, I wasn't down with that. So I started devising a plan that did not involve buying the super cute Valentine's Day warmer that had just come out. But I had to hurry before I caved. Did I mention it was super cute?</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Instead, I bought a plain white one. Yep, boring old white. </div><div align="center">And a few yards of different ribbons. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Here's my creation for Easter:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHhVSaQQ4NT5-H89pdD6X08ovDxF6dKsPsk-Jr0sqWpMJLZYsUZ1UbQg6ofiDYWmWa6U8GlkE4eB_Mbd7y9Aqv4QkQMci0P4ZbIYO0NOJDuDxAuNfQBNNamm4-i4VKVSQskvx9cWNYGXg/s1600/05-22-2010+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHhVSaQQ4NT5-H89pdD6X08ovDxF6dKsPsk-Jr0sqWpMJLZYsUZ1UbQg6ofiDYWmWa6U8GlkE4eB_Mbd7y9Aqv4QkQMci0P4ZbIYO0NOJDuDxAuNfQBNNamm4-i4VKVSQskvx9cWNYGXg/s400/05-22-2010+022.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">For Valentine's Day, I tied a fat black ribbon around and then layered a skinnier red ribbon on top of it. It looked classy. I think I'll switch to pink and brown for next year though.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I picked this green woven "ribbon" out in February, with a grand scheme in my head. And you know what? It worked! I tied this puppy on there at the beginning of March, and am just barely getting around to changing it out for the summer Americana decor.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Choosing a springy green ribbon meant I could use it for St. Patrick's Day, Easter, and general Springtime all in one shot. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ahh... the sound of sweet nothings in this lazy decorator's ear.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Here's another shot. {{I know these pictures are terrible.}} I took them at night while I was waiting for some glue to dry and had a happy trigger finger.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGPB3DY-yF7ycq-6i4-8W2t27FVFifRrRs1eu5862AT5qyh5SaK6vTvCX-OwddWXnXknV8LGot8qWq0JF7lO9r23110CHY5T8n_RnMtt4liU14bSkSAh-yY2a8G3lhiA1dXEK_FI4vnzz/s1600/05-22-2010+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGPB3DY-yF7ycq-6i4-8W2t27FVFifRrRs1eu5862AT5qyh5SaK6vTvCX-OwddWXnXknV8LGot8qWq0JF7lO9r23110CHY5T8n_RnMtt4liU14bSkSAh-yY2a8G3lhiA1dXEK_FI4vnzz/s400/05-22-2010+021.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Enjoy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/166/313738DE6F5C6023A83DBE6A76FC773B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0pt; border-left: 0pt; border-right: 0pt; border-top: 0pt;" /></a> </div>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-53693530268302090532010-06-17T08:57:00.003-06:002010-06-17T08:57:00.388-06:00It's a trade! Guest contributer: The Frugal Designer<div style="text-align: center;">Remember a few days ago, when <a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/the-frugal-designer/">Rayan</a> kidnapped me to share <a href="http://doresespieces.blogspot.com/2010/06/garden-update.html">my garden</a> with her readers?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, I thought it might be nice to return the favor and share some of her amazing talents with you, right here on Dorese's Pieces!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And since there's no time like the present, here we go!</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/the-frugal-designer/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Header2-n-4" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c013483bd5310970c " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c013483bd5310970c-400wi" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 400px;" title="Header2-n-4" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Hi everyone! Rayan - <a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/">The Frugal Designer</a> here! Excited to be sharing this project with you all today!<br />
<br />
It's dear to my heart since I have a toddler and because I named it after my aunt who just recently passed away. I hope you enjoy! Feel free to stop over at <a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/">my site</a> and check out the other projects I have done... hope to see you soon!<br />
<br />
There is no reason your little one's have to go without style for their furniture. Big kid style in a little kid's room is the highest compliment you can pay to your cherished ones. Don't be fooled by the name of this bed, this is for boys as much as it is girls. <br />
<br />
This bed is what I would like to term a lifetime bed, and while it isn't a crib also, as most lifetime beds are, this should transition easily into a full sized bed with three of the sides: back, left, and right acting as a winged headboard for a full sized mattress. Just a few modifications will allow for this transition when your child is ready for an even bigger big boy or girl bed.<br />
<br />
I will be providing plans for several pieces to coordinate with this, including shelving, storage, a desk or play surface and will be providing plans for adult bed sizes with options for storage underneath, a trundle, or open for decorative purposes and instructions for upholstering this winged headboard if you prefer that! Stay tuned, this should be an exciting collection!<br />
<br />
If you happen to be partial to greens, in minty greens and yellows : <br />
(this one is my personal fav, and likely the one my boy will be getting <br />
in the very near future!)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133ef9f9530970b-pi"><img alt="Final with mattress pillows-green" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c0133ef9f9530970b " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133ef9f9530970b-320pi" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Final with mattress pillows-green" /></a><br />
<br />
In blue for your prince: (hmm, I love this one as well, now I can't decide)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133ef9ed68f970b-pi"><img alt="Final angle with mattress pillows" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c0133ef9ed68f970b " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133ef9ed68f970b-320pi" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Final angle with mattress pillows" /></a> <br />
In pink for your princess: (maybe one day I shall have a reason for this one!)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133ef9f3681970b-pi"><img alt="Final angle with mattress pillows pink" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c0133ef9f3681970b " height="210" src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133ef9f3681970b-320pi" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Final angle with mattress pillows pink" width="400" /></a> <br />
Can't go wrong regardless of the color you choose! White or Black would also be stunning!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/the-frugal-designer/build-it-plans.html" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Build it plans" border="0" class="asset
asset-image at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c0133ed26af80970b " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133ed26af80970b-800wi" title="Build it plans" /></a><br />
<br />
This particular plan is meant to be painted, and uses MDF to allow for smooth paint application, however if you prefer a natural look for this bed, you can use premium plywood for the main components or connect dimensional lumber using a Kreg Jig to join each board, and then carve with a jig saw to create the curved sides. Either option would be stunning.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Materials" border="0" class="asset asset-image
at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c01348050d88a970c " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c01348050d88a970c-800wi" title="Materials" /><br />
<br />
1 1/4" Screws<br />
<br />
1 1/4" Finish Nails<br />
<br />
<a href="http://astore.amazon.com/thefrudes-20/detail/B0001GAYRC" target="_blank">Wood Glue</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://astore.amazon.com/thefrudes-20/detail/B0001GAYRC" target="_blank">Wood Filler </a><br />
<br />
Sandpaper<br />
<br />
Finishing Supplies<br />
<br />
Spackle<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Wood:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="text-decoration: none;">3 - Sheets of 11/16" MDF or 2 sheets and 1 sheet of 3/4" Ply if cheaper. A sheet is typically 4'x8'.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="text-decoration: none;">1 - 1x3 @ 10'</span><br />
<br />
<span style="text-decoration: none;">8 - 1x2 @ 10'</span><br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c01348050da39970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Tools" border="0" class="asset asset-image
at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c01348050da39970c " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c01348050da39970c-800wi" title="Tools" /></a><br />
<br />
Tape<br />
Measure<br />
<br />
<a href="http://astore.amazon.com/thefrudes-20/detail/B00002X2HG" target="_blank">Square</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://astore.amazon.com/thefrudes-20/detail/B0018Z8D64" target="_blank">Sander</a> - or a Sanding Block, this will help smooth <br />
your edges so the pieces fit flush with each other.<br />
<br />
Saw - to cut your pieces to size<br />
<br />
Jig Saw - to create the curved sides.<br />
<br />
Drill <br />
<br />
Pneumatic Nailer for Finish Nails (Finish Nail Gun) or Finish Nail Set and Hammer. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c01348050e7ca970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Cut list" border="0" class="asset asset-image
at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c01348050e7ca970c " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c01348050e7ca970c-800wi" title="Cut list" /></a><br />
<br />
Note: I believe the exact dimensions of MDF are slightly different than lumber and plywood, for example what would normally be 3/4" will likely be 11/16" in MDF. I use the correct measurements below but want you to know what it should be the equivalent of. So, your 11/16" MDF would be similar to 3/4" Ply or a 1x board of dimensional lumber (if you are going to do that instead).<br />
<br />
1 - 11/16" Sheet of MDF @ 52 x 33 3/4" (Back)<br />
<br />
2 - 11/16" Sheet of MDF @ 29 x 33 3/4" (Sides)<br />
<br />
1 - 11/16" Sheet of MDF @ 53 1/2 x 11 1/4" (Front)<br />
<br />
1 - 3/4" Ply or 11/16" MDF (whichever is cheaper for you) @ 52 x 28" (Bed Slats) - can be substituted for several 1x3 slats at 28" each and spaced about 4" apart.<br />
<br />
1 - 1x3 @ 52" (Bottom Trim - Back)<br />
<br />
1 - 1x3 @ 55" (Top Trim - Back)<br />
<br />
2 - 1x2 @ 55" (Top Trim - Front and Front Bottom Base)<br />
<br />
6 - 1x2 @ 52" (Cleats, various Trim on Front and Back)<br />
<br />
2 - 1x2 @ 49" (Trim)<br />
<br />
4 - 1x2 @ 33 3/4" (Trim for Sides and Back)<br />
<br />
2 - 1x2 @ 29 3/4" (Bottom Base for Sides)<br />
<br />
2 - 1x2 @ 26 3/4" (Side Trim)<br />
<br />
2 - 1x2 @ 21 3/4" (Trim on Inside Back)<br />
<br />
4 - 1x2 @ 11 1/4" (Trim for Front and Sides)<br />
<br />
2 - 1x2 @ 4 1/2" (Cleats Supports on Sides)<br />
<br />
2 - 1x2 @ 3 3/4" (Cleat Supports on Back)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133ed20b7ff970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="Instructions" border="0" class="asset
asset-image at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c0133ed20b7ff970b " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133ed20b7ff970b-800wi" title="Instructions" /></a><br />
<br />
** Adhere to all safety standards and check for square often. You will <br />
have a more difficult time with this project if you are not squared up. Make sure your MDF is cut straight and square or you will have difficulty joining sides and having them meet properly.<br />
<br />
** You have the option to cut 2 - 1.5" wide strip in the same arc as your sides to add trim to the top of the sides. <br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="1" border="0" class="asset asset-image
at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c0133ed04df9f970b " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133ed04df9f970b-800wi" title="1" /> Attach the Back to a 1x3 by centering it on the 1x3. This should leave 3/4" on either side which will accommodate your trim later. Use 2" Screws and Glue to attach.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c013482cc2d93970c-pi"><img alt="Step 1" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c013482cc2d93970c " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c013482cc2d93970c-320pi" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Step 1" /></a><br />
<br />
<img alt="2" border="0" class="asset asset-image
at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c0133ed04dfc7970b " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133ed04dfc7970b-800wi" title="2" /> Attach your Cleat Supports, Cleat, and Trim on the interior side of the Back Piece. Use 1 1/4" Screws and glue to attach the Cleat and Supports. Use 1 1/4" Finish Nails to attach the trim.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133efa04a38970b-pi"><img alt="Step 3" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c0133efa04a38970b " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133efa04a38970b-320pi" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Step 3" /></a> </span><br />
<img alt="3" border="0" class="asset asset-image
at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c0133ed04dfea970b " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133ed04dfea970b-800wi" title="3" /> Cut your sides to size and carve out a half circle arc, using a Jig Saw. You will want begin your arc 1 1/2" in along the top and 3/4" in from the side edge to allow for trim placement later. I have given the dimensions your arc should be applied and you can simply hand draw a relatively similar shape as shown in the image below and cut. This doesn't have to replicate my arc exactly, it simply needs to begin no higher than 11 1/4" in height along the side and to allow for trim placement. Otherwise this exact shape is at your discretion. Make it steep and highly curved or loose and low like mine. I suggest drawing on one side and cutting, then using that side as a template for the next side to ensure accuracy.<br />
<br />
** Optional- you can cut 2 - 1.5" wide strips of MDF in the same arc as your sides to trim out the upper part of your sides.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133efa04436970b-pi"><img alt="Step 4" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c0133efa04436970b " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133efa04436970b-320pi" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Step 4" /></a> </span><img alt="4" border="0" class="asset asset-image
at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c01348034840a970c " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c01348034840a970c-800wi" title="4" /> Attach the Sides to the Back Piece: Use 2" Screws and Glue, the sides should be flush with the outside (back) of the back piece as well as the top of the back piece, but will be 3/4" shorter than the back and it's bottom trim are. This will allow for the bottom trim on the sides to be attached in the next step.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c013482cc4a99970c-pi"><img alt="Step 4b" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c013482cc4a99970c " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c013482cc4a99970c-320pi" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Step 4b" /></a> <br />
<img alt="5" border="0" class="asset asset-image
at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c0133edd2ad32970b " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133edd2ad32970b-800wi" title="5" /> Attach the bottom trim for the Sides, use a 1x2 leaving the overhang on the outside of the Side. This will accommodate the trim later. this will extend 3/4" beyond the back edge of the side and be flush with the front edge of the side.<br />
<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133efa0823f970b-pi"><img alt="Step 5" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c0133efa0823f970b " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133efa0823f970b-320pi" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Step 5" /></a> </span><img alt="6" border="0" class="asset asset-image
at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c0133edd2ae82970b " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133edd2ae82970b-800wi" style="font-family: yui-tmp;" title="6" /> Attach the trim to the outside of the Sides and the Inner Cleat Support: Use 1 1/4" Finish nails on the outside Trim and 1 1/4" Screws on the Cleat Support. The cleat Support will be flush with the ground and bottom of the Base trim. It will not rest on the base trim itself. The 11 1/4" Trim piece will sit 3/4" beyond the edge of the Side itself to create a pocket for the front to sit in and to cover the edge of the front piece.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c013482cc9c67970c-pi"><img alt="Step 7" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c013482cc9c67970c " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c013482cc9c67970c-320pi" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Step 7" /></a> </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c013482cc6bac970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="7" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c013482cc6bac970c " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c013482cc6bac970c-800wi" title="7" /></a> Attach the Front to the Sides: Use 1 1/4" Screws to attach to the sides and 1 1/4" Finish Nails to fasten to the Side Trim. Attach the base trim to the Front piece with 1 1/4" Screws and allow the 3/4" overhang of the trim to lie on the front side. This will accommodate the trim later.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133efa03fed970b-pi"><img alt="Step 8" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c0133efa03fed970b " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133efa03fed970b-320pi" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Step 8" /></a> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c013482cc6bc6970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="8" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c013482cc6bc6970c " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c013482cc6bc6970c-800wi" title="8" /></a> Attach the Inner Cleat to the inside of the Front Piece: Use 1 1/4" Screws and Glue. It should rest right on top of the Cleat Supports that you fastened to the sides. The cleat supports are not so much for support as to give you a guide for placement and a tad extra support for those rambunctious babies some of us have (ahem...me!)!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133efa0220b970b-pi"><img alt="Step 9" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c0133efa0220b970b " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133efa0220b970b-320pi" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Step 9" /></a> <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c013482cc6bf4970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="9" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c013482cc6bf4970c " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c013482cc6bf4970c-800wi" title="9" /></a> Attach the front Trim and then cover the top of the front with another piece of 1x2 trim <i>(not shown here)</i> for a more finished look. This top trim will be 55" in length and will sit perfectly over the front piece and it's trim. Use 1 1/4" Finish Nails.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c013482cc9860970c-pi"><img alt="Step 10" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c013482cc9860970c " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c013482cc9860970c-320pi" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Step 10" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c013482cc6c1a970c-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="10" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c013482cc6c1a970c " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c013482cc6c1a970c-800wi" title="10" /></a> Attach the trim to the outside of the back as shown and fasten a 1x3 along the top to finish off <i>(not shown here)</i>. Use 1 1/4" Finish Nails and glue. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c013482cccf59970c-pi"><img alt="Step 2" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c013482cccf59970c " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c013482cccf59970c-320pi" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Step 2" /></a> <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133efa012ee970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="11" border="0" class="asset asset-image
at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c0133efa012ee970b " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133efa012ee970b-800wi" title="11" /></a> Add 3/4" Plywood on top of the cleats. You are welcome to do a series of 1x3 slats at 28" if you like, but honestly for me, stuff falling down under my boy's bed is a major pain, and I prefer to have it closed off. You can screw this down or leave it be. It doesn't make it more secure and might actually be nice to be able to remove and clean underneath if necessary.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133efa0790b970b-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="12" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c0133efa0790b970b " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c0133efa0790b970b-800wi" title="12" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span>To finish this project well, run your finger along any exposed cut edges of the MDF (this will likely only be your arcs) with a thin layer of Spackle. Once it dries fully, you can sand it flush and finish as desired. Prime first, then paint and make sure to seal with a polyurethane. If you intend to paint a light color, an aerosol lacquer will be more ideal as it is just as durable but does not yellow in time as Poly does.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
For finishing tips and tutorials see my <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_556699471">Finishing School: </a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/the-frugal-designer/finishing-school.html"><img alt="Finishing school" border="0" class="asset
asset-image at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c01348036c761970c " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c01348036c761970c-800wi" title="Finishing school" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
**Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Plans from this<br />
page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without <br />
the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Frugal Designer.<br />
<br />
I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan <br />
for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so <br />
you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a <br />
clear understanding of how the project will fit together and how it works <br />
before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or <br />
inaccuracy so that I might fix it.<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br />
<br />
Pillows are all from <a href="http://allmodern.com/">allmodern.com</a>. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I hope you enjoyed this post! I sure enjoyed being here with you all! Xx RayanDorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-67264734717281024632010-06-14T09:00:00.001-06:002010-06-14T09:00:00.902-06:00Kidnapped!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/the-frugal-designer/" style="display: inline; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Header2-n-4" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a0128766a4609970c013483b2e1e0970c " src="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/.a/6a0128766a4609970c013483b2e1e0970c-400wi" title="Header2-n-4" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Hi there friends! <a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/the-frugal-designer/" target="_blank">Rayan - the Frugal Designer</a> here to tell you that Dorese has been kidnapped...by me! Not to worry, it's only temporary, I promise to return her shortly and in one piece! I hope you will come visit her over at <a href="http://www.frugaldesigner.com/the-frugal-designer/" target="_blank">my site</a>; I know she would love to see you all and I would be honored to have you as well! PLUS, you can see the other guest contributors I've hosted over the last few days. Check 'em out!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">See you soon..Xx Rayan!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-37233860397392804892010-06-12T08:07:00.002-06:002010-06-12T08:07:00.276-06:00Weekend Recipe: Country PotatoesThese potatoes are as easy to prepare as they are to <strike>scarf down</strike> delicately eat. <br />
<br />
All kidding aside, these babies come with a warning: they disappear FAST!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvT8lXK-4_tS64daADS9Wz0d_xUKnfyJfdHT83H024tOT3Q2Uz5GBHQMj_CFAjvoU4rv7E8u6D2V5T59__iVFiPyqPT6_qu3BmE9wtyee4K15HsH8oxOI6Uh48bAKqZIISvXDBkmmkh6Ic/s1600/04-17-2010+153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvT8lXK-4_tS64daADS9Wz0d_xUKnfyJfdHT83H024tOT3Q2Uz5GBHQMj_CFAjvoU4rv7E8u6D2V5T59__iVFiPyqPT6_qu3BmE9wtyee4K15HsH8oxOI6Uh48bAKqZIISvXDBkmmkh6Ic/s400/04-17-2010+153.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Country Potatoes</b></span><br />
<br />
4 large Russet potatoes (or the equivalent amount of red, they're delicious too!)<br />
Olive oil<br />
1 packet dry onion soup mix<br />
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Scrub and cube potatoes into 1-inch pieces and place on a large baking sheet with sides. Spread them out into a single layer. Drizzle olive oil over the whole pan, then sprinkle with the dry onion soup mix. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes, stirring every 7-10 minutes to coat all potatoes in oil and soup mix. You'll know they're done when they're beginning to brown, and when a fork inserted into one goes in smoothly without resistance. (You know the texture a baked potato is, right?)<br />
<br />
Coming from an expert on eating only leftovers which still taste good after being in the refrigerator: These country potatoes taste great after a day or two in the ol' fridge. Mac and cheese, not so much. Hash browns don't either. But THESE, these are just as good reheated!<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/166/313738DE6F5C6023A83DBE6A76FC773B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0px none;" /></a> </div>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-31591960885767114272010-06-10T14:11:00.000-06:002010-06-11T00:27:48.771-06:00Coasters and a confession<div style="text-align: center;">I have a confession, and I think we'll just get this out of the way right now and then get to the good stuff:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I bought my end tables.<br />
As obsessed interested as I am in creating my own things, building furniture and other stuff, I was having a hard time. I really, and I mean REALLY wanted some end tables in my living room, but I was having a hard time figuring out how to build exactly what I had in mind. (I found Knock-Off Wood literally two days after I bought them). We had just spent our third Christmas in our house, and I couldn't. stand. not. having. anywhere. to. put. ANYTHING! Two years ago, my dad made a nativity set for me out of small pieces of wood that he stained and put together (this art is called Intarsia). Made it. With his own hands. It's amazing. And absolutely beautiful. And for two years, I have had nowhere to set it up. So it has stayed in the box he mailed it in. And it made me sad.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So a few months ago, I was shopping at a place I would never have considered buying furniture from, so had never looked at what they had. I'm waiting in line at the pharmacy, and hears over the intercom that they were totally clearing out a whole line of tables because they need to make room for new inventory. I finished at the pharmacy and casually made my way to the back of the store to see what the commotion was all about. And saw this:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBD3fhyphenhyphenf8azWvWUf8S19BwdoYtRLpn07tkWYF6TcJVzoGtAagGg2rSG_KqhAGPn5cqmsYgFcUhYn7GUrpxqbaUUr7C5F20DWKk8dk3AZN2JyGMf1gu6nyg2Xq3EYLrFEBcKNY8NKDVx_NO/s1600/05-22-2010+025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBD3fhyphenhyphenf8azWvWUf8S19BwdoYtRLpn07tkWYF6TcJVzoGtAagGg2rSG_KqhAGPn5cqmsYgFcUhYn7GUrpxqbaUUr7C5F20DWKk8dk3AZN2JyGMf1gu6nyg2Xq3EYLrFEBcKNY8NKDVx_NO/s400/05-22-2010+025.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And fell in love.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">They're tall enough. Square enough. Big enough. And do you see all that hidden storage? <i>Swoon</i>!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Quality be darned.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But really, how bad could it be anyway?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I double checked the price, and said "I'll take them." They looked at me like "is she serious?" and I said "I want all of them." Before you think I'm too crazy, you should know there were only four. And I had big plans. And places to put all of them. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then, greediness and shamelessness taking over, I said "what else ya got?" </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And bought a charming desk for my craft room.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And all was right in the world.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Until we wanted to actually use the tables in the living room. And I realized, having never owned a nice piece of furniture in my life, that I needed something I had never before considered:<br />
<br />
coasters. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I kept my eyes open to the possibilities and considered different options. Then a few days ago I was shopping a second-hand store for some terra cotta pots to use for <a href="http://doresespieces.blogspot.com/2010/06/patio-pots-on-cheap.html">this project</a>, when an idea hit me: why not use the little 4-inch saucers and dress them up to make them <strike>pretty enough</strike> nice looking so they'll work in my living room?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I got to work, and came up with this:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-aNXl8E4hYlc6eNnbfTmQ5v8uB6WfNXyYkN9elfvjC_a-sX4sbHN0SQ8w4ZqMPmr3LQ2ZLSsCK24V6e6jiRHh_qNnvNRxcDEqeXJ2FjbvOnJxf2dschmCrkX6lRozehTLs7ihHENr-sq/s1600/05-22-2010+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-aNXl8E4hYlc6eNnbfTmQ5v8uB6WfNXyYkN9elfvjC_a-sX4sbHN0SQ8w4ZqMPmr3LQ2ZLSsCK24V6e6jiRHh_qNnvNRxcDEqeXJ2FjbvOnJxf2dschmCrkX6lRozehTLs7ihHENr-sq/s400/05-22-2010+030.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">And then, the very next day, I found someone else had done the SAME project! Crazy! Go check out <a href="http://sweetcharli.blogspot.com/">Sweet Charli</a> to see all their fabulous ideas, including their own <a href="http://sweetcharli.blogspot.com/2010/05/diy-terra-cotta-coasters.html">terra cotta coasters</a>!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's how I made them:<br />
<br />
First, I sprayed them down with a primer spray paint... which I had never used before, and hadn't even known existed until recently. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA057OVVZBgCS2zzVsHGUZ661KEwcSDV6_86bJIR25oss58sFQlp8yp41UzHW9DRg1Yl3jM6UhpqVcvJpkmCT8crIBxIwKomCg-sDt5fvYN1kBKnR17cqN-3WSTVZ1oR9Tw5miE67d2dTG/s1600/05-22-2010+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA057OVVZBgCS2zzVsHGUZ661KEwcSDV6_86bJIR25oss58sFQlp8yp41UzHW9DRg1Yl3jM6UhpqVcvJpkmCT8crIBxIwKomCg-sDt5fvYN1kBKnR17cqN-3WSTVZ1oR9Tw5miE67d2dTG/s400/05-22-2010+003.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">After allowing them to dry for 10 minutes or so, I sprayed them with ivory spray paint:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBC_j0iKODXSIgDuoGwfiwdJApl5UAsmcU-0fHoU_bKxZtCuulRs3F8pchoctTKUtdtGHJW-g4j4T_2RZnrHSs7tZav5z2N6Rm7WZHve22V0tdayuP88fYl05NW0p3XnqhGGPztCIxIX_b/s1600/05-22-2010+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBC_j0iKODXSIgDuoGwfiwdJApl5UAsmcU-0fHoU_bKxZtCuulRs3F8pchoctTKUtdtGHJW-g4j4T_2RZnrHSs7tZav5z2N6Rm7WZHve22V0tdayuP88fYl05NW0p3XnqhGGPztCIxIX_b/s400/05-22-2010+006.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">While those were drying, I traced the lip of a glass and cut out 3-inch circles of scrapbook paper for the insides and felt for the bottoms. Then I distressed the edges of each paper circle.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2t5xokwhp-Qtrav0c0-zBPdumX9i8GTzJtcBZMPUPYFmFnVY2TDNjLMuh5jfksBAuQEE9TN3hZgV6goPT1C8ctpZKKT3DEQBASq9qVnU84m1UlvttOI9XpMb_J4ZeC8EoxBz7A8v-gFu/s1600/05-22-2010+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2t5xokwhp-Qtrav0c0-zBPdumX9i8GTzJtcBZMPUPYFmFnVY2TDNjLMuh5jfksBAuQEE9TN3hZgV6goPT1C8ctpZKKT3DEQBASq9qVnU84m1UlvttOI9XpMb_J4ZeC8EoxBz7A8v-gFu/s400/05-22-2010+011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Back outside, the dishes looked good after just one coat, so I brought them inside and mod podged the paper circles into the bottoms of each dish.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlF3b4bx31z2i8SolW1Jb2h57ZNy0pnNXX1jbt_dCq9dWKHHcm4UF6p1MJZHXxSIzuJHb65l8L2B7FJWrliVsVapJ88SofldjHXrnzY6uiqUvV2In_04Q8sm8ci6JbU8_cEHuuhXulMjC-/s1600/05-22-2010+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlF3b4bx31z2i8SolW1Jb2h57ZNy0pnNXX1jbt_dCq9dWKHHcm4UF6p1MJZHXxSIzuJHb65l8L2B7FJWrliVsVapJ88SofldjHXrnzY6uiqUvV2In_04Q8sm8ci6JbU8_cEHuuhXulMjC-/s200/05-22-2010+014.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1d6s8pBASVK36I_abPfLtKX-n602OKPlel6bl7Atde2kgsdBXrBFSzPxIUK1MtyWgwlnpvAdH81uJQs1SqkYWPtedfaOqi2gDL32PvmsHurH0_tFtbCsx6JUCUKNpMISkgZnaJcwcPlb_/s1600/05-22-2010+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1d6s8pBASVK36I_abPfLtKX-n602OKPlel6bl7Atde2kgsdBXrBFSzPxIUK1MtyWgwlnpvAdH81uJQs1SqkYWPtedfaOqi2gDL32PvmsHurH0_tFtbCsx6JUCUKNpMISkgZnaJcwcPlb_/s200/05-22-2010+015.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>When I was sure the paper was secure and there were no bubbles underneath, I mod podged over the top of each one. For this step, make sure to get the edge sealed well, but also clean up any excess mod podge from around the edges (I just used my finger).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKLQy2N_QrZ7QWiJT8VZwanM2hB6oAYwNjPDXuUgTouYwti-TnJdy9Jn8leFcCczUMf3WnMzeTHrjEqVYIewUgRUz3PIEkzfj3hSbDy49juoOoQ_OTeSGxEGPJbscF0LyRohjohKL2EC6/s1600/05-22-2010+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKLQy2N_QrZ7QWiJT8VZwanM2hB6oAYwNjPDXuUgTouYwti-TnJdy9Jn8leFcCczUMf3WnMzeTHrjEqVYIewUgRUz3PIEkzfj3hSbDy49juoOoQ_OTeSGxEGPJbscF0LyRohjohKL2EC6/s200/05-22-2010+016.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWywAH-pFaHiKupX05O_1bpdSdpSP5nMjVTbahspA7VTMoucaKQNyAaDyzdIy8UxVmcANZG2XHOtdWTZektc0_8zqRIWJHpbNDZ9D4tvhbAV4Rj9nD5HgXpiuAG7Pvi3oUJ2bdAgpp1JiB/s1600/05-22-2010+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWywAH-pFaHiKupX05O_1bpdSdpSP5nMjVTbahspA7VTMoucaKQNyAaDyzdIy8UxVmcANZG2XHOtdWTZektc0_8zqRIWJHpbNDZ9D4tvhbAV4Rj9nD5HgXpiuAG7Pvi3oUJ2bdAgpp1JiB/s200/05-22-2010+017.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
After that, I used the same ink from the paper (Chestnut Roan by Color Box is my absolute favorite for distressing) to add some character to the painted parts:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLl1X9nTAfE8W9DBKVYXZmeqaqJ-ssBEvKr8lkYa_20bO-IS-6za2xLdTzoJKE7nG6nyOgyXdKu8tcMlwlJdE_Dnz_dmTFoElNyXueanm_6Bn6kBj56cVdWJ5fM8lNtVdritQW1doJTFqP/s1600/05-22-2010+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLl1X9nTAfE8W9DBKVYXZmeqaqJ-ssBEvKr8lkYa_20bO-IS-6za2xLdTzoJKE7nG6nyOgyXdKu8tcMlwlJdE_Dnz_dmTFoElNyXueanm_6Bn6kBj56cVdWJ5fM8lNtVdritQW1doJTFqP/s400/05-22-2010+018.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Next was a coat of spray polyurethane. This is another one I didn't know existed until recently.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcCYEkjV62mUMpDBXERro6jgiP0HNRG_5yeL-Zz4ZWSAQ0vq4A7T7mc191saoArVsd3KswznJhhFgxngncTsQLCJS5ezfu6KwGlqrCvgNYqlxjZuFWiPrl26fGkHViq68ksjxNG4mzqLL/s1600/05-22-2010+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcCYEkjV62mUMpDBXERro6jgiP0HNRG_5yeL-Zz4ZWSAQ0vq4A7T7mc191saoArVsd3KswznJhhFgxngncTsQLCJS5ezfu6KwGlqrCvgNYqlxjZuFWiPrl26fGkHViq68ksjxNG4mzqLL/s400/05-22-2010+019.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
I ended up spraying three coats on each coaster, since they'll be coming into contact with condensation on glasses.<br />
<br />
All that was left after that was to glue the felt circles to the bottoms of each coaster. I just used tacky craft glue.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmuGDrRulOORjRJpHmRjzXAPtWHndeJgp6f_7tDKief87m72ff1117oXr_2IXg1UFVyuQyF3xWMwf8gSP2Klx3kDxp0L4L-Qp1yvgF0LPoLKSo6FcRbCjrT82fh7p87XK742p2fRlw6kb/s1600/05-22-2010+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmuGDrRulOORjRJpHmRjzXAPtWHndeJgp6f_7tDKief87m72ff1117oXr_2IXg1UFVyuQyF3xWMwf8gSP2Klx3kDxp0L4L-Qp1yvgF0LPoLKSo6FcRbCjrT82fh7p87XK742p2fRlw6kb/s400/05-22-2010+026.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
And there we have it! In under 2 hours and for less than $5, I had six adorable coasters to fit my living room decor perfectly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLss6HJ6Qtjnro5kl1Bj_DDOpn4QAiYBRRF5tkt3RAUj7eEq-NQc_og39S1V4G2RRQopTjsThSCZpsfM2WiQvwqvFSVTwqq_NA-pvnF7pe3yKtGNbmDhUHbZ4716POQq9nAolyUEteFZO/s1600/05-22-2010+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLss6HJ6Qtjnro5kl1Bj_DDOpn4QAiYBRRF5tkt3RAUj7eEq-NQc_og39S1V4G2RRQopTjsThSCZpsfM2WiQvwqvFSVTwqq_NA-pvnF7pe3yKtGNbmDhUHbZ4716POQq9nAolyUEteFZO/s400/05-22-2010+030.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/166/313738DE6F5C6023A83DBE6A76FC773B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0px none;" /></a> </div>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-46810976675877020522010-06-08T16:49:00.001-06:002010-06-10T23:37:11.797-06:00Patio Pots on the CHEAP!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15ZGrv4Ewz3f0dmkN7Br3seCXIeK1IbX8rYLUAx0uhxCTJjEMEig6veMQOTPFmCGsC5u9rR3VS_tTdpttpHCIBJsGjfvnkn2l5HjFaP5t1kWdcNbNLPrAxZ_a91ESv2BItoA6yfevX8Z-/s1600/painted+pots.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15ZGrv4Ewz3f0dmkN7Br3seCXIeK1IbX8rYLUAx0uhxCTJjEMEig6veMQOTPFmCGsC5u9rR3VS_tTdpttpHCIBJsGjfvnkn2l5HjFaP5t1kWdcNbNLPrAxZ_a91ESv2BItoA6yfevX8Z-/s400/painted+pots.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I found <a href="http://anythingpretty-jenny.blogspot.com/2010/04/herbs-on-move.html">these pots</a>, made by Jenny at <a href="http://anythingpretty-jenny.blogspot.com/">Anything Pretty</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Aren't they fabulous? They're so EASY and INEXPENSIVE to make... </div><div style="text-align: center;">My project list just keeps growing and growing!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I just discovered her blog last week, and I'm completely hooked! Go check her out!</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/166/313738DE6F5C6023A83DBE6A76FC773B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0px none;" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-55798846585810714882010-06-07T13:24:00.003-06:002010-06-07T14:10:04.176-06:00Weekend Recipe: Panakuchen<div style="text-align: center;">How about "Weekend Recipe... a few days late" ?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ah, well, the garden took up all of my time. Literally. So I didn't even eat, much less cook! :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, to make up for my tardiness, I present to you TWO recipes!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The first is Panakuchen, also known as German Pancake. All I know is YUM.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And the second is Buttermilk Syrup. Absolutely delicious and with NO corn syrup! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is another weeknight favorite of ours.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuV5LiTM6Dy4ZLnp-xmy3dPKbdQM2yNQ2ZkpLsQGZEE5JxlaQdEqFHFI4j4ec4POtodZ5M0RJWXLCDhaFjfIGbUz3jr9Qa7yet3mS_qt8mO21QmriDyz7VMv-Masvna2FZzEKZKT-sMstx/s1600/05-22-2010+335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuV5LiTM6Dy4ZLnp-xmy3dPKbdQM2yNQ2ZkpLsQGZEE5JxlaQdEqFHFI4j4ec4POtodZ5M0RJWXLCDhaFjfIGbUz3jr9Qa7yet3mS_qt8mO21QmriDyz7VMv-Masvna2FZzEKZKT-sMstx/s400/05-22-2010+335.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Puffy German Pancake (Panakuchen)</b></span><br />
<br />
8 whole eggs<br />
1 1/3 C. flour<br />
2 tsp. salt<br />
1 1/3 C. milk<br />
6 Tbsp. (or less) butter<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.<br />
Butter a heavy ovenproof pan or skillet (I have neither and use 2-eight inch square pyrex dishes, which I have found works much better than a metal or glass 9x13 casserole dish)<br />
In a bowl, slowly beat the eggs with a fork to blend. Slowly add the flour, beating constantly; stir in the salt and milk. Pour the batter into the pan(s) and drop thin slices of butter into the batter, distributing it evenly.<br />
<br />
Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake another 10 minutes. Remove from oven and sift with powdered sugar. I love this with buttermilk syrup (recipe follows).<br />
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Buttermilk Syrup</b></span><br />
<br />
7 Tbsp. butter<br />
3/4 C.buttermilk (I just use the dehydrated kind and mix it with water, since I would otherwise never have buttermilk on hand!)<br />
1 C. sugar<br />
1/2 tsp. baking soda<br />
1 tsp. vanilla or coconut extract (or get creative!)<br />
<br />
In a big pot, cook butter, buttermilk and sugar over medium heat, stirring, until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and boil one minute. Remove from heat and add the baking soda and flavoring. It will bubble up; just continue to stir and give it a few minutes for the fizz to reduce before serving. This is delicious with any hot breakfast. I just keep it in a mason jar in my fridge.<br />
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</div>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-67688427314684575632010-06-06T16:49:00.000-06:002010-06-06T17:55:58.887-06:00Garden update!<div style="text-align: center;">A few weeks ago, I showed you this picture and told you all about my big plans for the beds I had built to house my garden this year (see the original post <a href="http://doresespieces.blogspot.com/2010/05/gardening-raised-beds.html">here</a>). </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTJVMkgeaa38C5JhrEKwB2mlmut5ZNgsMlwBSyLPvs4inxSc62U44MQocDt9AoD0B36Ng3sCTNF1zD2PkYHMoR8_gqmeM1RAikIDIPsUoE29yUrRU_LBSScMPbm27M6I7F_XZu56R0B4A/s1600/05-22-2010+352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTJVMkgeaa38C5JhrEKwB2mlmut5ZNgsMlwBSyLPvs4inxSc62U44MQocDt9AoD0B36Ng3sCTNF1zD2PkYHMoR8_gqmeM1RAikIDIPsUoE29yUrRU_LBSScMPbm27M6I7F_XZu56R0B4A/s400/05-22-2010+352.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Well, the time has come (after one very long Saturday with The Man out of town) to reveal my finished "garden"! (An alternate title for this post could be "Makin' Mama Proud". I'm sure she's squealing with delight that her daughter finally got the kick in the back to get started on her own brown thumb transformation. Hey mom! Thanks for making me <strike>want to die</strike> work out in the garden all those years to cultivate my own love for seeing things grow and thrive!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">At the end of <a href="http://doresespieces.blogspot.com/2010/05/gardening-raised-beds.html">the last gardening post</a>, I left off with the second layer in my lasagna-style garden: sticks and twigs (as you can see in the picture above). One thing I forgot to mention, however, was the real reason behind building and filling these monstrosities instead of just taking out part of the back yard. The obvious reasons are pictured above with dirt on their noses, but the lesser known and bigger reason is that I want to grow blueberries, which require very acidic soil (pH of 4.5 to 5.5) and live in an area where the soil is very alkaline or "basic" (the pH in my back yard is 8). So I set out to develop an environment I can control to see if I can have success in raising these plants which have been deemed "ungrowable" for this area. (There are a few people around who have them, so this isn't a new thing. But by and large, most people who have tried have failed. And I refuse to be a statistic. At least where blueberries are concerned. Thank you.) So this post shows the layering process I'm using in my "lasagna garden", but focuses more on just one of my two beds - the one in which I'm trying to change the pH of the soil. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So to bring us back to today's topic, the first two layers I showed in the last post were bark to provide a barrier and base layer, then twigs and sticks which will decompose over time to help feed the soil. The next layer would be a little bit of dirt, and, surprisingly, this is what has taken so long to get this project finished! Yesterday was the first dry day we've had in a long time... So I took full advantage - with or without The Man around to help!<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">The boys and I headed out to the farm to get a pickup full of dirt (hey Mom and Dad C.! Thanks so much for all your help! And for letting the boys chase some cows and roll around in manure for a while!) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And then we got busy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJqq105n041IXVwWnsN2ZxYhMoZ0kM5k4moW7OXRz11E2iY0Akm7CN12ckGbP8XsQtvjHuAnWys4OCX5so5-QRsj-M__nJvJY-iS_1TPkmb5Z4A_WlU6OaeU66T6jFWPiACa7S4-zlOto/s1600/05-22-2010+039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJqq105n041IXVwWnsN2ZxYhMoZ0kM5k4moW7OXRz11E2iY0Akm7CN12ckGbP8XsQtvjHuAnWys4OCX5so5-QRsj-M__nJvJY-iS_1TPkmb5Z4A_WlU6OaeU66T6jFWPiACa7S4-zlOto/s200/05-22-2010+039.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqpkeVnP60rCn32PnTY-qoOEUD6s5ZmqIvRQgfiOnRLWyWnpcFpGNAa6oO2Ip1fy7Qch0OqoZQSTajE_CrX2wclfjc-_xuT7y8rlF89dRYnzdOhFYllj4AHMo7T1oMrnFFSRMQgg5P_Gn/s1600/05-22-2010+047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqpkeVnP60rCn32PnTY-qoOEUD6s5ZmqIvRQgfiOnRLWyWnpcFpGNAa6oO2Ip1fy7Qch0OqoZQSTajE_CrX2wclfjc-_xuT7y8rlF89dRYnzdOhFYllj4AHMo7T1oMrnFFSRMQgg5P_Gn/s200/05-22-2010+047.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">This may be a good time to mention that "busy" means different things to different people. I used a shovel to transfer dirt from the truck into the two beds, and the boys used their paws and noses to... who knows. They definitely looked busy though! (See evidence on noses pictured above. Thank you.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CqiHNvbuTIpv4cXemVGffG1osnvQ-a80ooF6dNzZoYK5pDQ8EMHWVnc-jMDN43OSJpbnp_6cNMtyvkg7JASlPeWDWce4Wv9e0ajNHluplahfmDxDOQGsFXp1E-R3CMvJtIQ1ZdUM7xw0/s1600/05-22-2010+043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CqiHNvbuTIpv4cXemVGffG1osnvQ-a80ooF6dNzZoYK5pDQ8EMHWVnc-jMDN43OSJpbnp_6cNMtyvkg7JASlPeWDWce4Wv9e0ajNHluplahfmDxDOQGsFXp1E-R3CMvJtIQ1ZdUM7xw0/s400/05-22-2010+043.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Notice all the weeds? If they're making you itch and scratch to see them in soil intended for gardening, you're not alone. I won't complain for free topsoil though! I picked them out of the top layer of dirt, but wasn't as concerned here, where this one is so far down.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJraEjVQOEH7J1Gwr8inB4uupy_NydC4SiFtKjgSY9XCmxZ6NCm-CeCdC5t0nffFY_-pFgIjGhkzTy4hZY5AK-09N-vEApHcm0FyNFf0N96wnGqLZbLwPdM6UlIxvhvpi17pJ4HPFl-aL/s1600/05-22-2010+041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJraEjVQOEH7J1Gwr8inB4uupy_NydC4SiFtKjgSY9XCmxZ6NCm-CeCdC5t0nffFY_-pFgIjGhkzTy4hZY5AK-09N-vEApHcm0FyNFf0N96wnGqLZbLwPdM6UlIxvhvpi17pJ4HPFl-aL/s400/05-22-2010+041.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">After the first thin layer of dirt was thrown in on top of the sticks and twigs, I added some sulfur to both beds, to speed the decomposition process. Sulfur is acidic and will come in handy in the higher layers of the berry bed, but I added it to both in this step.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Remember these?</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuD1KIdDx_RTyPbbNpn52KETwS0Z41m_1AJtGcQURsD9CszsJ34eCWRLOGbMcNQfAOvxJktYatwPyLFJsxOs1RfFjDJ6Sz6NGsgissL65jchVucwKr_wbNdtOc2rKID9H4yy7wS1Q0zEl0/s1600/05-22-2010+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuD1KIdDx_RTyPbbNpn52KETwS0Z41m_1AJtGcQURsD9CszsJ34eCWRLOGbMcNQfAOvxJktYatwPyLFJsxOs1RfFjDJ6Sz6NGsgissL65jchVucwKr_wbNdtOc2rKID9H4yy7wS1Q0zEl0/s400/05-22-2010+015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, they've had a few weeks to sit and get nice and stinky!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Next is the layer of grass clippings, followed by pine needles. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's the grass layer:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXpjpP5qn3T-K6Vup_uu7b8eNiIJM1VGp2ddjkjn_gT__kYrPAOK34gjIoa9GfA_TMKKlfAPxG_Jdc_ro7TqSapevZEBnXeSzj5TEyrRKj_fSLJ8r_nwVSpcbbgkcvPcPB7Lu65RdYW6O/s1600/05-22-2010+044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXpjpP5qn3T-K6Vup_uu7b8eNiIJM1VGp2ddjkjn_gT__kYrPAOK34gjIoa9GfA_TMKKlfAPxG_Jdc_ro7TqSapevZEBnXeSzj5TEyrRKj_fSLJ8r_nwVSpcbbgkcvPcPB7Lu65RdYW6O/s400/05-22-2010+044.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHM7tUzWOsqKi_yim9JF4ai4rnhqHxQ2MfofShFOPBRULhZW8oY_8_P_x549_hZs_u566R8f_dL3316BvCmaNsKPhFtseBTTy1q8Fh3o7k2SmTjCgZZfAXtwvxyLj-gWm91bwq2ubwUm8K/s1600/05-22-2010+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHM7tUzWOsqKi_yim9JF4ai4rnhqHxQ2MfofShFOPBRULhZW8oY_8_P_x549_hZs_u566R8f_dL3316BvCmaNsKPhFtseBTTy1q8Fh3o7k2SmTjCgZZfAXtwvxyLj-gWm91bwq2ubwUm8K/s400/05-22-2010+018.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> See that fuzzy white spot? That's the source of the stinkiness. No problem though, it should help break things down faster!<br />
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And here are the pine needles. These are a mix of Spuce and Bosnian Pine:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxU3L2nyer7A4SFbgNJUvVrxviHwbNKEizk4Pp8VQrje3D-TRBP3pwTBHO-lGeRARvG6PgacAuqjCwUqpSHC6TL8pGrJKTrJ_mC2TNToXsbffMEi4xN8h0cAFnc3abRp9u8qitht0g1MP/s1600/05-22-2010+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmxU3L2nyer7A4SFbgNJUvVrxviHwbNKEizk4Pp8VQrje3D-TRBP3pwTBHO-lGeRARvG6PgacAuqjCwUqpSHC6TL8pGrJKTrJ_mC2TNToXsbffMEi4xN8h0cAFnc3abRp9u8qitht0g1MP/s400/05-22-2010+045.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The next layer is more dirt. One problem with working with only dogs around, is that they don't have opposable thumbs, and thus there is nobody to take a picture of you <strike>breaking your back</strike> shoveling dirt. <br />
And sometimes you forget to take the pictures after the layer is done and get too impatient to move on to the next thing. <br />
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So for this no-picture part, I added more dirt, until I was about 10-12 inches from the top of the sides.<br />
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Then I mixed in some of this stuff:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfnBrVYd58trDC5OcEnpm419uduJskwcV4l2fc-Apfe9W6x-223gXhBNz6Zsd8ecF3ixM0QqYf2x5pbnVQhIOow01ZTYXK4voT8S1O-O1PrAdBzx14IFfsiFmiVdWf0SM7ZzxCrJ0uCPA/s1600/05-22-2010+051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfnBrVYd58trDC5OcEnpm419uduJskwcV4l2fc-Apfe9W6x-223gXhBNz6Zsd8ecF3ixM0QqYf2x5pbnVQhIOow01ZTYXK4voT8S1O-O1PrAdBzx14IFfsiFmiVdWf0SM7ZzxCrJ0uCPA/s400/05-22-2010+051.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Peat moss is really great stuff for all plants, trees, shrubs, you name it! And it's especially good for this particular project, because it's acidic!<br />
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With the peat moss, I also mixed in a can o' joe:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRhsArAG1LF6OTwopzxMYXbcXffsAE5-p8BZiW6Dkp5M3hTKCeWSPWAib-FzWhC3_zQEFPgTjW3oTcy2KR_4o0F0Jqq7yH_B2ReVnC0qxlbfn5j-Keo6fYIUR8MSRQ4U2LFEacOKWRRgY/s1600/05-22-2010+049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRhsArAG1LF6OTwopzxMYXbcXffsAE5-p8BZiW6Dkp5M3hTKCeWSPWAib-FzWhC3_zQEFPgTjW3oTcy2KR_4o0F0Jqq7yH_B2ReVnC0qxlbfn5j-Keo6fYIUR8MSRQ4U2LFEacOKWRRgY/s400/05-22-2010+049.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Now, I don't pretend to be an expert on what brand of coffee blueberries like the best, I just went for the label that said "strong" which happened to come on this can, made by Kraft.<br />
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Coffee is another natural acidifier. I may add tea bags later, if I still need to bring the pH down. <br />
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I mixed both the peat moss and whole can of coffee into the soil with a cultivating tool, then added another layer of coffee to leave on top...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmW3a-E_obcN4Oe36Ms6D8zYhdV9PMZn8nIuBscevbA2uQjOpUDQ0_MpyfOIXf5gYaP8yAjK-VkEgBjKX5G7UV_JAASSWHZ1cXg_dJs5M874c6fCxqcoHRyuN9XlAtkyF5niW3Q0DL1xvI/s1600/05-22-2010+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmW3a-E_obcN4Oe36Ms6D8zYhdV9PMZn8nIuBscevbA2uQjOpUDQ0_MpyfOIXf5gYaP8yAjK-VkEgBjKX5G7UV_JAASSWHZ1cXg_dJs5M874c6fCxqcoHRyuN9XlAtkyF5niW3Q0DL1xvI/s400/05-22-2010+052.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
...followed by another layer of peat moss, also to be left sitting on top:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIXt-c0wyY6M1imOCMyfSE4Vc8-JdklhHHbsKC3xsd0tStC40RPb0rHnKQ_mWWjXUyG5kYpjBtaNLTHo0fkyrWswb09par_41CBTPbF4Te2yet9exy9H2PwwWMrXNazHOxGjpA26Alfm6/s1600/05-22-2010+054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIXt-c0wyY6M1imOCMyfSE4Vc8-JdklhHHbsKC3xsd0tStC40RPb0rHnKQ_mWWjXUyG5kYpjBtaNLTHo0fkyrWswb09par_41CBTPbF4Te2yet9exy9H2PwwWMrXNazHOxGjpA26Alfm6/s400/05-22-2010+054.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This picture shows the peat moss up close and personal, in case you're not familiar with it:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJIfUmTCZ1uRAk0yxMr8L9AHZSSnQxpysRlfM5fxjsxVu2MVPYptwIEeP23zs8VaCQX_UBaFDZo53y8n8LVHNqzAvndrKKnNPWzEGX9OmRUi3m7fYRgzU5R0bizdpZzd0dB0xF5hKYku3/s1600/05-22-2010+055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJIfUmTCZ1uRAk0yxMr8L9AHZSSnQxpysRlfM5fxjsxVu2MVPYptwIEeP23zs8VaCQX_UBaFDZo53y8n8LVHNqzAvndrKKnNPWzEGX9OmRUi3m7fYRgzU5R0bizdpZzd0dB0xF5hKYku3/s400/05-22-2010+055.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>You can see all the natural fibers and things that have broken down to make it. It's really good for drainage and water retention at the same time - it works to absorb the water so your plants don't drown, but also holds it there for when they need it.<br />
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Then, because I'm wanting maximum acid in this soil, I mixed in one more layer of these bad boys:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNTVisTTKxM1X_cGnwUkx-LpKJZZMdramVV_IbfyUUU0XTaVMNLRGemAXZ5nZ8OMG1DUl-iFmMb-GAtdnJ6ueHh8Wby7ZLCs75S1Kl6uCLFE3TBLanq4uVEw7vpy5PUAMrCO-kkBF04WC/s1600/05-22-2010+058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNTVisTTKxM1X_cGnwUkx-LpKJZZMdramVV_IbfyUUU0XTaVMNLRGemAXZ5nZ8OMG1DUl-iFmMb-GAtdnJ6ueHh8Wby7ZLCs75S1Kl6uCLFE3TBLanq4uVEw7vpy5PUAMrCO-kkBF04WC/s400/05-22-2010+058.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I ended up pulling out some of the longer needles though, because they were too much to work into the soil.<br />
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And then it was time for some planting! This went WAY fast, compared to the filling of the beds!<br />
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The first thing I did was map out where I wanted to put everything I had. You'll see this representation is very accurate and most definitely to scale:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrS2AYf6YrvHkzHfqHxvDXdeK47UIKLpAyhsTrXcLSLMkIxJ0rpGyjtuOW42r8ebCtvKqRDd8iPzA-40Eqc7TOQvoEh-aDFGijoa5-Q3iAL_aMT76YyfTki0YdIMplDtv6eBRCVjI5i3Q/s1600/05-22-2010+082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrS2AYf6YrvHkzHfqHxvDXdeK47UIKLpAyhsTrXcLSLMkIxJ0rpGyjtuOW42r8ebCtvKqRDd8iPzA-40Eqc7TOQvoEh-aDFGijoa5-Q3iAL_aMT76YyfTki0YdIMplDtv6eBRCVjI5i3Q/s400/05-22-2010+082.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>(you can click any picture to enlarge it)<br />
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The skinny bed down the right side is one I'm planning to build very soon to house those items I wish to grow which require mounds. It will be the same height (just under 3 feet) as the others, and just as long as the length of both 4x4 beds and their walkway, but this one will only be 2 feet wide (maybe 3... depending on the size of the mounds I decide to create...)<br />
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Everything is planted, except the strawberries. I left room for them on the end of their designated bed, but I haven't bought them yet. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9GKdwgrhnjn_4IRXOBOPE57pxNGCxfVNFNhttUBmQ-jm6zYnoHggYT-i3PSbtOnPbPqZIdRg46xqiywp9x1stBDd7itBptssXLjVJ1cPlxUckAhEbNgVrKHyQ-2v_MijS2DW4aT3K4XA/s1600/05-22-2010+076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9GKdwgrhnjn_4IRXOBOPE57pxNGCxfVNFNhttUBmQ-jm6zYnoHggYT-i3PSbtOnPbPqZIdRg46xqiywp9x1stBDd7itBptssXLjVJ1cPlxUckAhEbNgVrKHyQ-2v_MijS2DW4aT3K4XA/s400/05-22-2010+076.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
If you looked at my drawing, you know I had 4 blueberry plants and intended to plant them, staggered, in two rows, which I did. One thing about fruit trees and shrubs is that you need to have more than one so they can cross-pollinate. I was told that with blueberries, it's best to have them come from different varieties, so of the 3 varieties the nursery offered, I bought 2 of one variety, and one each of the other two varieties. I planted the two that were the same in the second row, and the other two in the front.<br />
<br />
Once I planted them, I went back to the map to add which variety I put where, as well as when to expect the fruit (e.g. mid-season).so I don't end up wondering which plant did well and which didn't later on.<br />
<br />
After I planted the blueberries, I planted the raspberries. These are a thornless variety called Canby. They don't look anything like the raspberries my mom used to raise, but hey, they don't have thorns either!<br />
(And they were free! Bonus!)<br />
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Once that whole bed was planted, I went back over it with another can of coffee grounds.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZH-fLMKHGNRgjjmf7Z8RuZyghMmk6Flr9TY5auYgpCDG2EQIR9fF4EEpQ0UIGIQkm1Bcq44IAvXobSf2uXl9JaQwbd6XYBMm3Fse2uXP2CAIAOS7BTXnHvGx0weroj83k8q8WVd-GAkK/s1600/05-22-2010+078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZH-fLMKHGNRgjjmf7Z8RuZyghMmk6Flr9TY5auYgpCDG2EQIR9fF4EEpQ0UIGIQkm1Bcq44IAvXobSf2uXl9JaQwbd6XYBMm3Fse2uXP2CAIAOS7BTXnHvGx0weroj83k8q8WVd-GAkK/s400/05-22-2010+078.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I wasn't shy about getting some of the grounds on the leaves. These babies are going to need all the acid they can get in this environment! I also watered it down so the coffee could begin to soak into the soil. (The other thing I'm doing for this acid-lovers bed is mixing some vinegar into the water I water them with. Our water is also very alkaline, and a local source told me this is what he does to help combat the alkalinity. The nursery also told me I could use distilled water, but that costs more than a little vinegar. :)<br />
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And then I got to plant the rest of the herbs and vegetables, which I hardly even had to dig holes for. Coming from someone who has only ever planted trees and shrubs, which all require big holes, that's pretty nice. <br />
And I'll tell you what - it's my kind of planting!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLfvd_kg7Cyhyf_LE0Q-K8DM0mfIpAAWOZ_R4L7hgBMir4sZ2yUV2WZnlZmTbWLtm3fOZyfBYxKN1LoN3C_AGLgGnZHBkT2tvFIIbxrtBzoZXvdUAOuVbZ550Tv0k_0iWHZcR1ZL5Z0ZK/s1600/05-22-2010+067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLfvd_kg7Cyhyf_LE0Q-K8DM0mfIpAAWOZ_R4L7hgBMir4sZ2yUV2WZnlZmTbWLtm3fOZyfBYxKN1LoN3C_AGLgGnZHBkT2tvFIIbxrtBzoZXvdUAOuVbZ550Tv0k_0iWHZcR1ZL5Z0ZK/s400/05-22-2010+067.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I planted two varieties of chives and parsley - regular and garlic chives, and regular and curled parsley. <br />
So much for diversity in my herb garden, but we don't use enough of anything else and I don't want to waste it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdMIqdAr5CdbaE5p4t08-bKy7Oai4ItBgziebr0U9X5K8XSXp0HL5WdmQDXMxmb-M9gMDUiyPWp06grLm11lGPy2K3jpmcq_Gp7-Sf5zLQDk7r29CBdKROR9eFOkX3UhZo-OI-7y1Idmf/s1600/05-22-2010+070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdMIqdAr5CdbaE5p4t08-bKy7Oai4ItBgziebr0U9X5K8XSXp0HL5WdmQDXMxmb-M9gMDUiyPWp06grLm11lGPy2K3jpmcq_Gp7-Sf5zLQDk7r29CBdKROR9eFOkX3UhZo-OI-7y1Idmf/s400/05-22-2010+070.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
I planted Walla Walla Sweet Onions, and they're looking a little wimpy at the moment. They likely just need some sun and a chance to soak up a little water, and then I expect they'll perk right up!<br />
<br />
The peppers look nice and hardy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaS03HtTuGIhw7aoYvvtD4VhcDfzimmIkrInOMdu9sccJg5AD0FFnb9iU8tZ9JtErVLsjlNGGL0sVgkrYiK-iou9jkegVo1AnP3pfw0I6hNQOSTr-7b1rbRw50cEjbj1CGBN6RY_dSYiS/s1600/05-22-2010+071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaS03HtTuGIhw7aoYvvtD4VhcDfzimmIkrInOMdu9sccJg5AD0FFnb9iU8tZ9JtErVLsjlNGGL0sVgkrYiK-iou9jkegVo1AnP3pfw0I6hNQOSTr-7b1rbRw50cEjbj1CGBN6RY_dSYiS/s400/05-22-2010+071.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>I planted two varieties of these. We're wimps, so they're both just plain old green peppers, but one's a sweet variety, and the other is a traditional bell pepper.<br />
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The tomatoes are also looking a little droopy. Perhaps they need to be tied to a pole. Any suggestions? Or is it possible they just need to adapt to their new surroundings and get some water in them?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOZhyy2r6BpCwdleHKtHV5yHH-Wt6oyo79mdRvRkQnug9eKMgKEGcez_frf3Xre-bxGwpgZRnHTvDHUuZLwY6fBYZRw3xOecPnnqdl980-FEEq8FXdVAdDXyoUkpEbiofJ0-vZNIHy_-v/s1600/05-22-2010+072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOZhyy2r6BpCwdleHKtHV5yHH-Wt6oyo79mdRvRkQnug9eKMgKEGcez_frf3Xre-bxGwpgZRnHTvDHUuZLwY6fBYZRw3xOecPnnqdl980-FEEq8FXdVAdDXyoUkpEbiofJ0-vZNIHy_-v/s400/05-22-2010+072.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>The space to the left of the tomatoes is what I've reserved for a few strawberry starts. It's a little bigger in real life than it appears to be in this picture.<br />
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And there we have it, complete with the dandelion forest behind it! Look out lawn - you're next!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8Gg-zpbBRDLcjOLjkVwf9oA38E47fbfTga-DcYG17LsV5iQK7uCFbkQtIThB9rmZCGW98vkJWTHECP5JrRUgy6p_CH2yAPFhVfDo60bNiDMWaNaUxibQMUdJ1zMwKQgT1AXF2BsOHw-2/s1600/05-22-2010+080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8Gg-zpbBRDLcjOLjkVwf9oA38E47fbfTga-DcYG17LsV5iQK7uCFbkQtIThB9rmZCGW98vkJWTHECP5JrRUgy6p_CH2yAPFhVfDo60bNiDMWaNaUxibQMUdJ1zMwKQgT1AXF2BsOHw-2/s400/05-22-2010+080.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/166/313738DE6F5C6023A83DBE6A76FC773B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br />
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</div>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-41939109657786020232010-05-29T07:05:00.001-06:002010-05-30T19:24:02.437-06:00Weekend Recipe: Ramen Stir-Fry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluTqXhenhBN2L7-MHLDeYITcMS8QMO8ioZAjOd6-d-zvTLfh3eMiOFQ2x6XYY9OdlddOsHeA9KAMfCq41cld9NmncJRoKemzI5jqTM0T1zvZXsTPO_7BSeQiwvKClXRF9EWgrdky2ZYvD/s1600/05-22-2010+323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluTqXhenhBN2L7-MHLDeYITcMS8QMO8ioZAjOd6-d-zvTLfh3eMiOFQ2x6XYY9OdlddOsHeA9KAMfCq41cld9NmncJRoKemzI5jqTM0T1zvZXsTPO_7BSeQiwvKClXRF9EWgrdky2ZYvD/s400/05-22-2010+323.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">Stir-fry is wonderful for a weeknight pinch in that it takes so little time to throw together. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But if you're like me, stir-fry is just that: stir-fry. Nothing special, just meat, sauce, and veggies, served over noodles or rice.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But sometimes, that gets boring. Or you just don't have 20 minutes to cook rice. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Enter my favorite version: Ramen Stir-Fry. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I would like it just for the speediness with which you can get dinner from idea to done, but it's a delicious combination of flavors so it ended up taking the place of regular ol' stir-fry in our house. Try it out and let me know what you think!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Ramen Stir-Fry</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>1 lb<b><span style="font-size: 36pt;"> </span></b>Beef sirloin steak, cut into thin strips, or ground beef<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">1 lb of your favorite frozen stir-fry veggie mix (I like the one with broccoli, cauliflower, snow peas, green beans, carrots, red peppers, corn, and water chestnuts)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">2 cups water <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">2 packages beef or oriental flavored Ramen Noodle soup mix<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">1/4 - 1/2 cup stir-fry sauce (I always have used teriyaki - the same sauce I use for marinades) <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Cook the strips of beef (or ground beef) in a skillet with a little olive oil until brown. Remove from pan and keep warm. In the same pan, heat water to boiling. Break up noodles from soup mix into boiling water; stir until slightly softened, and stir in veggies. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Heat to boiling. Boil 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender. Stir in contents of ONE seasoning packet from soup mix (this is what we like, you may like both packets in there), stir-fry sauce, and beef. Cook a few more minutes, stirring frequently, until hot. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Happy weeknight cooking wishes coming your way!<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/166/313738DE6F5C6023A83DBE6A76FC773B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br />
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</div>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-2014273402272314642010-05-26T23:37:00.000-06:002010-05-26T23:37:56.400-06:00For your consideration<div style="text-align: center;">I realized yesterday as I pulled pictures from older posts of Charlie and Max that I hadn't posted anything. At all. Except very early puppy pictures. And Charlie is almost 2. So tonight I'm going through the "Mama's Boys" folder of my manic picture organization system to find updated pictures of both of them. Pictures of the hubby have also found their way into that folder somehow. I have no knowledge of how they may have ended up there, and, therefore, cannot be held responsible. Thank you. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyway, I found this picture of Maxwell that I could NOT ignore, nor could I continue to look at other pictures while not doing something to share this particular picture. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A little background: </div><div style="text-align: center;">We were both home for lunch, and we occasionally give the boys something with their food to make it nice... for<i> us</i> so we can eat in peace and still spend some time with them while we're home. </div><div style="text-align: center;">So this particular day, Mark feels that the dogs need something special. And what to give them but... whey protein powder, naturally! (We had a sample of this to try incorporating into Mark's diet). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I present, for your consideration, <i>Maxwell Meets Whey Protein Powder</i>: </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YfUG5fCShPTklVFTEfaZpMHo-3sIFd0JWiHekIyrtwYPp4n59P2HWJ401qWZAswr9rr8E-s9fdZGSDFKjH6cr9Ei9rrvvC2ttoatlAN9gzWPcb5kEh2oEUckrsCs2e2Jwenj3lvQj5-S/s1600/04-17-2010+279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YfUG5fCShPTklVFTEfaZpMHo-3sIFd0JWiHekIyrtwYPp4n59P2HWJ401qWZAswr9rr8E-s9fdZGSDFKjH6cr9Ei9rrvvC2ttoatlAN9gzWPcb5kEh2oEUckrsCs2e2Jwenj3lvQj5-S/s400/04-17-2010+279.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I realize this is a really terrible picture. But between the frantic seizure-like movements of a happy puppy and the convulsive movement of a photographer laughing so hard he's crying... some situations just can't be helped. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Things to take note of: </div><div style="text-align: center;">bulging belly</div><div style="text-align: center;">dirty paws</div><div style="text-align: center;">chunks of wet powder clinging to every whisker we didn't even know he had</div><div style="text-align: center;">enormous tongue that reaches over the top of his nose</div><div style="text-align: center;">Nearly empty food dishes, flat giant tennis ball, and scattered dog food in background (<strike>feed time at the zoo</strike> lunch time with the boys can be quite eventful!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Cheers!<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/166/313738DE6F5C6023A83DBE6A76FC773B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-88841317791940961432010-05-25T16:51:00.000-06:002010-05-25T16:51:25.715-06:00Gardening: raised beds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Remember <a href="http://doresespieces.blogspot.com/2010/04/let-play-game-day-2.html">this</a> post, sharing a new favorite blog of mine which makes it seem easy peasy to build your own furniture and stuff?</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, if not, go check out Ana's amazing work over at <a href="http://www.knock-offwood.com/">Knock-off Wood</a>. </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She's been posting all sorts of plans lately for outdoor use - adirondack chairs, an outdoor sectional "couch", tables, benches, chairs...you name it.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One post a few weeks ago focused on raised beds for gardening. She posted plans and shared some reader photos, and I was inspired. I got home from work, picked up the boys (who love a ride in the truck), and we headed off to the Home Depot. (LOVE that place!)</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had a plan in my head that was nothing like what Ana had posted, but I knew it would be perfect. It's just too easy for it to go wrong. I wanted to build some of these boxes to hold my garden for <strike>two</strike> a few reasons. Most importantly, personal laziness. And love of my back. And these two:</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIAv_-C858tAXGY6YNwudYJRExrNrqEkYNPJM6TMC1WlwQ85MHZ0bdVJR64ErK0WBJl8Gpw0Q-_NKW2KkhOEL5xIanP5O3gCKHc3NDnFkW3ALmFiVpYVW6rn_w6GYHtLvnSTHj7w7QKGz/s1600/charlie+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIAv_-C858tAXGY6YNwudYJRExrNrqEkYNPJM6TMC1WlwQ85MHZ0bdVJR64ErK0WBJl8Gpw0Q-_NKW2KkhOEL5xIanP5O3gCKHc3NDnFkW3ALmFiVpYVW6rn_w6GYHtLvnSTHj7w7QKGz/s200/charlie+2.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EEH_O6hcdFVSp2z_Wyd9pW-JDY0wLa0v0UyCyJt6O0C3dfc6ZrgsFszmso4MgiJIGOW1-dUtvMZMQk_x0OrUhlBV154ghIyhHLrqFsQ2P5B0fYzvNQBo1frhMLFlT08v-VMi1QskpVJ9/s1600/max.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EEH_O6hcdFVSp2z_Wyd9pW-JDY0wLa0v0UyCyJt6O0C3dfc6ZrgsFszmso4MgiJIGOW1-dUtvMZMQk_x0OrUhlBV154ghIyhHLrqFsQ2P5B0fYzvNQBo1frhMLFlT08v-VMi1QskpVJ9/s200/max.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And because a traditional garden is so...<em>permanent</em>. And permanence gives makes me itch and scratch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Most often, these raised beds are long and narrow, and somewhat shallow. My parents built some this year that are 6 feet long by 2 feet wide, and just under 12 inches deep. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Due to the reasons listed above, and that I wanted to put a few of them at the end of my driveway which is 13 feet wide, I decided to make my beds 4 feet by 4 feet by 3 feet deep. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I purchased 4- 4x4 posts (6 feet long), 12- 1x12 pine boards (8 feet long), and a one pound box of deck screws.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here's what I built:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGqmqrgg0GVpzRdBpEPKxhTeibMzNmU_QMhSzwjF3CNTdYJ4f2WlhlYT5tISqlCN0LP88JB4Am0P8l3k8CDNcMDJGPTMYfTSN5aQAZz76M2ZJEjukRAHhyD_asbzwKEs2FxFM75GKy3x2/s1600/05-22-2010+352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGqmqrgg0GVpzRdBpEPKxhTeibMzNmU_QMhSzwjF3CNTdYJ4f2WlhlYT5tISqlCN0LP88JB4Am0P8l3k8CDNcMDJGPTMYfTSN5aQAZz76M2ZJEjukRAHhyD_asbzwKEs2FxFM75GKy3x2/s320/05-22-2010+352.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Total time in production: less than 2 hours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Waiting for hubby to get home to help me <strike>drag</strike> move them from the garage to the back yard: 4 hours. They're heavy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I didn't make them complete boxes, just frames. I wanted to have the drainage of the ground at the bottom.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOERnrEVdegRm8hl-oRSwHpAZIGnXqUb2w8mdj2LRjrZUy28DlllTGy4kFAfxguXdLADQT2WQgjnSSERF3cPvu-_mCeZDz9FF8lWXPUTEy9MRwGjlepegGkRa3wpQZhb93lEeMyjGHN5tI/s1600/05-22-2010+328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOERnrEVdegRm8hl-oRSwHpAZIGnXqUb2w8mdj2LRjrZUy28DlllTGy4kFAfxguXdLADQT2WQgjnSSERF3cPvu-_mCeZDz9FF8lWXPUTEy9MRwGjlepegGkRa3wpQZhb93lEeMyjGHN5tI/s320/05-22-2010+328.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I did not, however, want to fill all 42 cubic feet (times two!) with straight dirt, and had another idea, anyway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When my parents built their boxes (and when they've built them in the past), they filled them with a layer of different materials, including sticks, cardboard, newspaper, grass clippings, manure, and, of course, dirt. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I started my layering with bark leftover from <a href="http://doresespieces.blogspot.com/2010/05/landscaping-project-our-front-yard.html">this</a> project, then some skinny branches a friend gave me after pruning some trees. I cut these up into smaller sticks to make a nice layer on top of the bark, shown here:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4Q2iS93kgS6VX2KCFhlKORoldlIhbyLVkkhstZT4Ouj2CpuAIydcaNhic1kyGVIfXgAcKVMuJbAxCRrZTio3MbMHicgX5OFs-zEpAdGsv5BzJHvftDvZM2kK97SMB9Na1JXKLki_Q3Wm/s1600/05-22-2010+349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4Q2iS93kgS6VX2KCFhlKORoldlIhbyLVkkhstZT4Ouj2CpuAIydcaNhic1kyGVIfXgAcKVMuJbAxCRrZTio3MbMHicgX5OFs-zEpAdGsv5BzJHvftDvZM2kK97SMB9Na1JXKLki_Q3Wm/s320/05-22-2010+349.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have buckets and bags of grass clippings and pine needles to layer in next, once our crazy wet and windy weather calms down a little bit. Then we'll add some dirt, mix in some old dried up manure, and get planting!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The friend who <strike>begged me to take</strike> shared the branches also shared these thornless raspberry starts, one bucket of which will be the first thing to go into a bed:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjqOpmAlaN5gM1YeQjRVvK6DAUpF_XI3Ri8nIlPUVBopRaB5J1k0107t6c2Mm2lJzOfS-vVyN8labzT4A3IWzBHRL2D4pOYznKxe1X_211N0ohm8o_tXviZQyMd6sFbzJSZSABSzkqs7c/s1600/05-22-2010+347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjqOpmAlaN5gM1YeQjRVvK6DAUpF_XI3Ri8nIlPUVBopRaB5J1k0107t6c2Mm2lJzOfS-vVyN8labzT4A3IWzBHRL2D4pOYznKxe1X_211N0ohm8o_tXviZQyMd6sFbzJSZSABSzkqs7c/s320/05-22-2010+347.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I currently plan to fill half of one bed with raspberries and the other half with blueberries (an experiment with something not easily grown in this region!). The other bed will have strawberries, possibly some zucchini, a few tomato plants, a few sweet onions, and a small herb garden. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can see both garden boxes in the background of the last picture. I'm thinking I may build one more box, this one long and skinny, but just as tall, to sit to the right of the other two with a walkway in between. Maybe I would plant flowers in that one, or possibly make that the box for the mounds of zucchini and squash. Any thoughts?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's been a few years, but I've finally got the gardening bug and I'm so excited! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'll post more pictures as I get them planted. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/166/313738DE6F5C6023A83DBE6A76FC773B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0pt; border-left: 0pt; border-right: 0pt; border-top: 0pt;" /></a>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-14224695633529297842010-05-22T15:35:00.000-06:002010-05-30T19:29:00.815-06:00Weekend Recipe: Barbeque Chicken PizzaI've followed <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/">The Pioneer Woman</a>'s crazy antics and delicious recipes for several years now, and this one I could not resist sharing with you after making it earlier this week:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKW046DA9RaJkmJmVNRf-aoT05m7-j0VcjZP_BVT-7C7zH4iifj10NHbL1mE1lbwgW2KGFxEZycqL4Mc-uZW7k6jfEC-EvR6gOKANY3cvJ7HLyVvpGLL8ISX6WcOoFAhtDnGuF9AxwpYA/s1600/04-17-2010+268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKW046DA9RaJkmJmVNRf-aoT05m7-j0VcjZP_BVT-7C7zH4iifj10NHbL1mE1lbwgW2KGFxEZycqL4Mc-uZW7k6jfEC-EvR6gOKANY3cvJ7HLyVvpGLL8ISX6WcOoFAhtDnGuF9AxwpYA/s320/04-17-2010+268.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/03/cpks-bbq-chicken-pizza/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>PW's California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Pizza</b></span></a><br />
(how's THAT for a mouthful?!?)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">1 whole Recipe For Pizza Crust (mine Makes Two Crusts)<o:p></o:p> </div><div class="MsoNormal">2 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts<o:p></o:p> </div><div class="MsoNormal">½ cups Barbecue Sauce<o:p></o:p> </div><div class="MsoNormal">Olive Oil, For Drizzling<o:p></o:p> </div><div class="MsoNormal">Salt For Sprinkling<o:p></o:p> </div><div class="MsoNormal">16 ounces, weight Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, Sliced Thinly<o:p></o:p> </div><div class="MsoNormal">½ whole Red Onion, Cut In Half And Sliced Very Thin<o:p></o:p> </div><div class="MsoNormal">Chopped Cilantro, to taste<o:p></o:p></div><ul class="ingredients" id="ingredients-54867"></ul><h5></h5>Preheat oven to 375 degrees.<br />
Salt chicken breasts on both sides, then place in an ovenproof dish. Pour BBQ sauce over the breasts and turn them over to coat. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until chicken is done. Remove from oven and cut into a fine dice. Set aside. Increase oven temperature to 500 degrees. Roll/stretch out one pizza crust. Lay it on a sheet pan drizzled with olive oil. Drizzle a little olive oil on the crust, then sprinkle on a little salt. Spoon a couple of tablespoons of extra BBQ sauce on the crust and spread it evenly. Top sauce with half the sliced mozzarella. Sprinkle on half the diced chicken and thinly sliced red onion. Sprinkle again with a little salt, then bake for 15 to 17 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and toppings are bubbly. Remove from the oven and sprinkle on plenty of chopped cilantro. Cut into squares and serve immediately. Repeat with other crust and other ingredients, or save for another time.<br />
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Click <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/03/cpks-bbq-chicken-pizza/">here</a> for original recipe, including the pizza crust recipe she used. <br />
<br />
<br />
<i>**DP Editor's note</i>:<br />
I made the following changes: I cut the chicken up into small pieces and cooked it in bbq sauce in a frying pan on the stove rather than baking or grilling it. I made this for lunch one day and we had to hurry to get back to work on time. :) I also omitted the cilantro. <br />
<br />
<br />
Enjoy,<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/166/313738DE6F5C6023A83DBE6A76FC773B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6921736955599058844.post-51779575153597919972010-05-20T19:22:00.003-06:002010-05-22T15:11:39.554-06:00Landscaping Project: our front yardReady for a little before and after? Here we go!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnk0u1XGEMcTiXEYf_ytOUqJUoXXcSf68RwlKREEx2VYSxoqYpdY2x_BCUwWDbbVyoMqXzCEh6UBywH_tML2_apz1iQDbMIZz-dVetluLpar_bP_wqNE7zYSxypAbJTtSAQ72glKvMFFp/s1600/Picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnk0u1XGEMcTiXEYf_ytOUqJUoXXcSf68RwlKREEx2VYSxoqYpdY2x_BCUwWDbbVyoMqXzCEh6UBywH_tML2_apz1iQDbMIZz-dVetluLpar_bP_wqNE7zYSxypAbJTtSAQ72glKvMFFp/s400/Picture1.png" width="400" /></a></div>This is the house when we first bought it. Pay particular note to the immediate foreground of the picture (look for headstones, weeds, and dead spindly things), the "beds" along the front of the house, and the far left of the picture.<br />
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It's hard to tell here, but the weeds/dead stuff/headstones in the immediate foreground are on top of a raised up mound running the length of our front yard. The mound acts as a physical barrier separating our front yard from the road, which is great. It's just that the weeds/dead stuff/headstones had to go. <br />
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So two summers ago, when we first moved in, we planted four pine trees along the far left of the above picture, or right in the open space at the foreground of the following picture, which is our property line on that side of the front yard. So, let's say... 30 years from now, it will be a GREAT privacy barrier! We love us some trees though, so we went for it even though we most likely won't still be here to enjoy them in their maturity.<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHAT2MuG91j9z1Rj-V83CDy53PcdfaTyjrf5rqZoai7dNKAuryVyuXbq5YY-r27AbD_syNXVVCP7FUhGYOkl0F8y4yI1uOpANh3IQ6djl9e0Rvl6iEl-lvdIvnqwPTuDFTQTPTO6UgLmPX/s1600/IMG_1564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHAT2MuG91j9z1Rj-V83CDy53PcdfaTyjrf5rqZoai7dNKAuryVyuXbq5YY-r27AbD_syNXVVCP7FUhGYOkl0F8y4yI1uOpANh3IQ6djl9e0Rvl6iEl-lvdIvnqwPTuDFTQTPTO6UgLmPX/s400/IMG_1564.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Here's another picture to show you a close up of a bed. This particular one is in the back of the house and did not get to participate in this year's bark transformation (See reasons <a href="http://doresespieces.blogspot.com/2008/08/exciting-news.html">here</a> and <a href="http://doresespieces.blogspot.com/2010/02/maxwell.html">here</a>.) But you get the idea in looking at this picture exactly what the beds on the front of the house as well as the mound used to look like (although the headstones and dead things have already been removed from this bed...):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSy4mUJiHuNUbMMl1eBwMXUl53e1dVczPJWECJi_6ncMBARrsfpEjaELAa6glz9XSKwqIcszYkxYctkZdC2LyRbLOmzWagHQYF5apsHgD-OI22VX3Trgt0O-117eH6Tygj31FmV-dxoZ6d/s1600/IMG_1519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSy4mUJiHuNUbMMl1eBwMXUl53e1dVczPJWECJi_6ncMBARrsfpEjaELAa6glz9XSKwqIcszYkxYctkZdC2LyRbLOmzWagHQYF5apsHgD-OI22VX3Trgt0O-117eH6Tygj31FmV-dxoZ6d/s400/IMG_1519.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Fast forward one year: after <strike>twelve</strike> a couple coats of Round-Up and still insane amounts of weeds on the "mound", we went through one more round of it, went back and bought some more concentrate, then did it again. Then we decided we had to take matters into our own hands. We waited for what was going to die to do so, then borrowed a rototiller and went to town on the thing. Then we unloaded two pickup loads of topsoil on top of what was already there, then rototilled it again. Enter 28 rose bushes to create a (future) hedge along the front and down the side in between the trees we had planted the year before.<br />
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And that brings us to this summer. We wanted to put some bark or mulch or <i>something</i> in all the beds and around the roses last year, but after the expense of the roses, bark was going to be too much cost for one summer.<br />
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<br />
Enter now:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdoVnq6r7lqmQJ1JhHB_R8OgYlW58fCWjo9BGDOcH6fgfae80dTUN8LgOgMZY4v5FJz74nZgjjdvKcYs6NARjdciJpPrhaPmPhbuGUM5OQYgpIGeWdtYPVCjwS8W6s1G3kQ4NRgBfXLi8O/s1600/04-17-2010+309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdoVnq6r7lqmQJ1JhHB_R8OgYlW58fCWjo9BGDOcH6fgfae80dTUN8LgOgMZY4v5FJz74nZgjjdvKcYs6NARjdciJpPrhaPmPhbuGUM5OQYgpIGeWdtYPVCjwS8W6s1G3kQ4NRgBfXLi8O/s400/04-17-2010+309.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is what the beds look like now. This one has three burning bushes spaced out in it; this one closest to the lens is one we rescued from the weed/dead stuff/headstone mound in the front and transplanted. We purchased two more this year to balance it out. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnFEcEOO03kSH-0BDxstbW4T0QaZkZlMPhWNF5AaTdHdLDyVZ3ZfET4pOkCX56qRxH9Ny4AWjMGFqLlSaxQIzpGOKTkfqgqhiD9mWfvhAQZn2elK8sUtznkVjuA-NzUzIevKqF8sbiWtR/s1600/04-17-2010+301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnFEcEOO03kSH-0BDxstbW4T0QaZkZlMPhWNF5AaTdHdLDyVZ3ZfET4pOkCX56qRxH9Ny4AWjMGFqLlSaxQIzpGOKTkfqgqhiD9mWfvhAQZn2elK8sUtznkVjuA-NzUzIevKqF8sbiWtR/s400/04-17-2010+301.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a view from on the other side of the yard. Straight across is my car parked in the driveway. This shows one of the pine trees we planted two years ago, the burning bushes, and an arborvitae we planted this year along the side of the house. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeFonFmWS9vdXtRWjSxD7yeIDs8LAbnuGEs6AIgAiqcG0q215noCK0uk15PxuYdx2HfFuMSa8JBBcGQ147UfspsRsZtq5Z4zbU7cenxFrp5XpgMJW4QbbniXcFFvgKI2m8s9K_CCJpJ5q/s1600/04-17-2010+303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeFonFmWS9vdXtRWjSxD7yeIDs8LAbnuGEs6AIgAiqcG0q215noCK0uk15PxuYdx2HfFuMSa8JBBcGQ147UfspsRsZtq5Z4zbU7cenxFrp5XpgMJW4QbbniXcFFvgKI2m8s9K_CCJpJ5q/s400/04-17-2010+303.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This one is along the side of the house and yard where there was nothing two years ago. It's very early Spring here still, so the roses are hard to see among all the bark (look closely!). And yes, we're trespassing in our neighbor's yard to take this picture. Shhhh!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUs0fOpuFmPOGTxYxcE2T-x38fSM8psgFWkw4VZYW-7qwvBPZ-x2B_WqvRDnBuezO8xiAMO06VlTgL6OT9z7fiRMGOPpS9Pookt0yeIPEW8aBQGaazfXt1pllQjZfJFSA6dNz2BvN2bLh/s1600/04-17-2010+298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQUs0fOpuFmPOGTxYxcE2T-x38fSM8psgFWkw4VZYW-7qwvBPZ-x2B_WqvRDnBuezO8xiAMO06VlTgL6OT9z7fiRMGOPpS9Pookt0yeIPEW8aBQGaazfXt1pllQjZfJFSA6dNz2BvN2bLh/s400/04-17-2010+298.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the view opposite of the last picture. This tree is a plum which was here when we moved in. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsh5d24DWUfd2a4nHy72e2dJUNbWMHULYHAUI6XjwOFw34f86gXYVoOAI8ECWmcX9lgdoK_iUKzFx6evpQOhzUn4yxW9qMKzAC444N-WX5zf2PJa5lWp4IJ80Pqvh0hH9e-EI3eTP3ha5f/s1600/04-17-2010+299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsh5d24DWUfd2a4nHy72e2dJUNbWMHULYHAUI6XjwOFw34f86gXYVoOAI8ECWmcX9lgdoK_iUKzFx6evpQOhzUn4yxW9qMKzAC444N-WX5zf2PJa5lWp4IJ80Pqvh0hH9e-EI3eTP3ha5f/s400/04-17-2010+299.jpg" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a close-up of one of the rose bushes, as well as the neighbors' cars :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJoJArqIK9RVcLVQXQPlsidHlGGDfqtkliM6Vye8VmHfbBJIANLLRxy-BHbvS7OHsEvB_gardFvQl_nAZ2xSNOeFh6jt8TzvpgXOEXh2XKpH87wf8s-BpzUy2ovagCDIgq1JitYchz_3C/s1600/04-17-2010+304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJoJArqIK9RVcLVQXQPlsidHlGGDfqtkliM6Vye8VmHfbBJIANLLRxy-BHbvS7OHsEvB_gardFvQl_nAZ2xSNOeFh6jt8TzvpgXOEXh2XKpH87wf8s-BpzUy2ovagCDIgq1JitYchz_3C/s320/04-17-2010+304.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This one shows all six of the arborvitae, as well as two of the four pines and seven of the roses for this side of the "wall".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTjn-_FfiJ_7eaJd6Jq-RSJ8PSWaYzg0qouDgUlF2udzrsdLBOjD5x73VT0mj6lA0SbeJsVAlHecAXvpm00H0dTnGd1Hy7tNUWxNJipOXIvWEegScXvM982Z8i9c0yjEX3-Y2d19-ePvW/s1600/04-17-2010+300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTjn-_FfiJ_7eaJd6Jq-RSJ8PSWaYzg0qouDgUlF2udzrsdLBOjD5x73VT0mj6lA0SbeJsVAlHecAXvpm00H0dTnGd1Hy7tNUWxNJipOXIvWEegScXvM982Z8i9c0yjEX3-Y2d19-ePvW/s400/04-17-2010+300.jpg" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ok, not sre why this one is uploading on its side, but it is what it is. This is something new for us this year, trying to keep weeds out and things that are supposed to be there from dying: soaker hoses snaked through all the trees and bushes, buried under the bark. This picture shows two ends we've left exposed so we can find them when it's time to hook up the hose for watering that section. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ahhhh, evening after a hard day's work. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHE8AY8BPr8M99b9QZMVN_gGSuyS5UxfEgw-gD_5pKCAefIn2Luqe5P2IZ9Ki35RjaG2d5rkycVyqU-zD_1idH3JqKzb5mU-onpKEb38XRtwWZeXu0wdt8merkOXQvwmZBTTot11c31A5D/s1600/04-17-2010+305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHE8AY8BPr8M99b9QZMVN_gGSuyS5UxfEgw-gD_5pKCAefIn2Luqe5P2IZ9Ki35RjaG2d5rkycVyqU-zD_1idH3JqKzb5mU-onpKEb38XRtwWZeXu0wdt8merkOXQvwmZBTTot11c31A5D/s400/04-17-2010+305.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Have a great weekend! <br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54488/166/313738DE6F5C6023A83DBE6A76FC773B.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>Dorese @ Dorese's Pieceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00380189069872513346noreply@blogger.com5