Project Update

Remember my beloved secretary’s desk that I found at the local consignment shop several months ago. I first posted about it here in March.

I never actually started working on it until late August, what a procrastinator! And when the project was going along nicely, I made a big booboo! You can read all that here. Bill wanted to trash the whole thing, but I was determined to save it.

She’s just about finished now and looking pretty good. Even Bill is impressed….wow! It’s been lovingly reconstructed with blood, sweat and  tears. almost.  Because I so foolishly left it outside, the wood swelled, the veneer cracked and lifted and then later parts started falling off! A leg fell off, parts of the pediment fell off and I couldn’t get the small drawer to close.

After lots of clamping, carpenter’s glue, wood putty, tiny nails and tons of sanding, I think she’s gonna make it. I’ve decided to distress it just a bit (like it wasn’t stressed enough) and then polish it with paste wax. When it’s done it will be so pretty!
And here’s the chair that’s getting a makeover. My Mom and I got this at an antique co-op. She had it recovered and used it in her living room. I’m so glad I saved it and found a use for it.

It’s my first attempt at recovering a chair. I think it will be pretty easy since this chair is basically done with upholstery tacks.

Now I’m really anxious to finish up…no more procrastinating for me! Won’t it all be so pretty!

Soup for Hobos

What exactly is a hobo? Do they exist today?

I have memories of my brother, in the midst of one of his regular tantrums, threatening to run away to be a hobo. My Mom always played along, knowing that he would never leave. In classic hobo style she even  tied some of his things in an old handkerchief and tied it on the end of a stick. He got as far as the end of our sidewalk near the alley at the back of our house.  I think he was about seven. 
I’m sure this recipe for hobo soup was one my Mom just threw together with what was on hand. Why she named it Hobo soup, I don’t know, but it always brings to mind my brother’s constant threat to run away and become a hobo. He never did!

Cook about 1 or 1 1/2 lbs of ground meat in a soup pot. After it’s cooked, add in 5 or so carrots, thinly sliced and let them cook until they start to get soft, then add 4 or 5 potatoes, diced and two  15 0z. cans diced tomatoes. Let that cook until the veges are soft then add  canned stock or bouillon cubes and water to fill the pot about 3/4 full. (I always just throw in 3 bouillon cubes and add water) Add about 4 handfuls of noodles and when the noodles are soft the soup is ready.


You can add more stock or bouillon if needed. That’s it! It’s a quick and easy recipe with no fancy ingredients.
You could add beans, barley, cabbage or different vegetables but then it wouldn’t be Mom’s Hobo soup.
I like mine with lots of pepper and some crusty bread.

Enjoy!

I'm adding this to Jen's Tasty Tuesday, lots of great recipes there!

Tuna linguine

Rhoda is having a recipe exchange party over at her Southern Hospitality! She's looking for recipes we can add to our daily menus and I think this is a great one. It's quick and easy and doesn't use any exotic ingredients. And, it's pasta.  I love noodles, no matter what you call them!

Click here for the recipe for Tuna Linguine.

In this recipe I've started using one can albacore tuna and one can of regular tuna packed in water. Just add a salad and some good bread and you're all set. You're getting lots of vegetables and you're eating some healthy seafood. 

I posted this recipe in 2007 when I was just beginning to blog and thought it was worth another mention.  Hope you enjoy.

Autumn’s tapestry

While traveling through upstate PA into western NY, I was awed by the beauty of Autumn. The rich colors of gold, brown, red and orange actually made me gasp. I don’t remember ever seeing a more beautiful Autumn.





These pictures are of the area around lake Canandaigua. 


So pretty, but the pictures don’t do it justice.
 
This reminds me of a beautiful tapestry.





Wind turbines are a common site in the rural areas of western NY and while they’re an awesome sight, they have stirred up quite a controversy about safety, noise issues and the effect they have on the environment. You can’t imagine how huge they are!
Click here to see a video of the giant turbines in action.


A crabapple tree in all it's glory.
Hope your Autumn is as beautiful as mine. Enjoy it, it won't last long. 

What happened while I was away.

Can you figure it out by this teaser picture?
Big holes, mud, columns…….


A new patio roof!
You may remember the post about our patio dilemma, well now that problem is solved.

This wasn’t a big surprise to me, I knew we were getting a patio roof, I just didn’t know when, because of association approval, building permits and waiting for the trusses to be made.

It's huge!

With the cold and rainy weather we’ve had lately I can’t believe it’s this far already. It’s so pretty! There are 2 skylights and two ceiling fans.

I’ll have fun decorating this space next spring, visiting yardsales and thrift shops looking for treasures for the new patio. Woo hoo just another reason to yardsale!


I've taken some liberty  and added this post to Met Monday at Between Naps on the porch.
You'll find lots of creative ideas and wonderful transformations there!










Coming up next, some beautiful Autumn pictures at peak season. 

Family time

The last month has been a busy one for me. My daughter and Mia were here for several days before we road tripped it down to TN to help daughter #2 with her huge yardsale......huge because she was downsizing and getting rid of so much. While there, we got sick....first my grandson got a sinus infection and then I got sick and then, of course, we all got sick. SO, I didn't get as much done as I planned, but do you ever??!!

Then after that I went to NY to stay with Mia for almost 5 whole days while her parents were away in Fripp Island SC.



Here's Mia  enjoying her lunch of Beef a Roni, which she also used to style her hair. hmmmm...maybe I should try that.

She knows some baby sign language and was giving me the sign for drink...her thumb and finger in a cup shape, rocking up and down...like tipping a drink..

Oh look, they spotted a bunny.

This little rabbit was not afraid at all. He left us get within 3 feet of him before he ran off.

What a show he put on for us. As much as I hate these critters eating my flowers, I must admit they're cute and fun to watch.

This was while we were in TN, don't ya love her new do!

And here we are back in cold NY.

The foliage was just about at peak in western NY and I'll be sharing some beautiful pictures AND you won't believe what happened at home while I was away. More about that soon.





Being home means relaxing a little and then starting up on projects again. The secretary desk is almost ready to be revealed!

The Winner is...

Carol from Songberries. Thank you Carol and all who entered!

GiveAway!

Here's the giveaway! I was having a computer issue so it's posted a day late, BUT, it's a Great GiveAway!  

HERE IT IS! 


 Go HERE to enter.

In the spotlight

This month's spotlight Blog is............

Kathy’s blog, Creative Home Expressions    is In the spotlight today. Being a certified interior decorator. Her blog showcases her talent and she shares the latest accessories, window treatments and crafty design ideas. And she so graciously agreed to do a mini interview here at Bungalow. 
  

How long have you been interested in design and what inspired you?

I have been interested in design since I was a child growing up in Brooklyn.  I was always moving the bedroom furniture around in the room I shared with one of my two sisters.  This was not as easy as it sounds when you are 10 and the beds were bunkbeds {until I asked my parents to take them apart}.  I always find it interesting to hear/read that others interested in decorating and design can also recall moving and redecorating their bedrooms as young children as well.

Describe your dream house.

My dream house would be a one-story house in a U-shape with a courtyard within the "U".  I would love for the master bedroom, kitchen and family room area to have french doors that opened onto this courtyard.  Cabinets with glass doors on upper cabinets and an island in the kitchen; good size master closet; built-ins, especially for all my books; and the perfect room for my home office.  Crown molding in every room and an open floor plan.

What prompted you to start blogging?

I started blogging as an extension of my business and website to try and reach more people, but be able to share information at the same time.  I've toned it down from a more "lecturing" type blog and have tried to let more of my personality show through.

Is there any piece of advice you could offer to others just starting out in the design business?

Have patience because business doesn't arrive at your door overnight.  Look for as many free resources as you can, such as online business listings, office supplies, and ways to get your name out into your community, etc. 

Kathy also features a Wednesday post called 5 things you didn’t know about and she was so nice to feature me and features a new blogger every week.
She also awarded me the Honest Scrap award.
Thank you Kathy!
I hope you’ll go on over and spend some time visiting her and her charming blog, Creative Home Expressions.
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***Coming up tomorrow, A GIVEAWAY! PLEASE come back and enter! I promise it’s something you’ll like!
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****You may have noticed a new sponsor, Pink Pig, please click on her banner in the sidebar to shop at Pink Pig  and read her inspiring story.

Autumn Wreaths

At one time I loved making wreaths.  I don’t see many beautiful wreaths adorning front doors much lately or maybe I’m just not noticing, but I found some real beauties on line. Better Homes and Gardens     I love this apple wreath, but if these were real apples the birds would make such a mess on my front porch!

Plow and Hearth

Pottery Barn
Expressions    Anything with feathers, I love!
Square wreaths are something just a little different, a new twist on a classic.

Darby Trading company

     
Country Living, This wreath, hanging on a chair is beautiful. I love the dried hydrangea and  natural elements which seem to be more popular now. I still love silk flowers but don't don't use them much anymore.

On the front door last Autumn, I used a few feathers, raffia, natural pieces and bright silk flowers tied with a wide black ribbon.


What's on your front door this season?
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Next week, A GIVEAWAY! You'll like it!