Hope Chest Makeover-Chapter 1--Drawer

It's Saturday and I am just starting the Lane Hope Chest Makeover.

It's been several days years of thinking about, researching, thinking, wondering and more thinking about this makeover.

Originally I was going to paint it, but the more I thought about it, I liked the idea of staining it dark instead.

It's time.

I'm ready.

First. Clean the inside of the drawer.

How nasty is this?  I'm pretty sure this was stored in a barn or some sort of out building because there were mice here and some sort of straw like material.

Probably straw.

So after a non-successful search in the world wide web

Brian's cookies--homemade chocolate chip cookies

The term "chocolate chip" cookie doesn't quite do this cookie justice.

They're more like "everything but the kitchen sink" cookies.

But that's just the way we like 'em!

Now if you're the kind of person who likes to throw everything into a mixer then this is not the cookie for you. But if you're the kind of person who loves a delicious cookie then you'll need to get your hands dirty.

 But BONUS you can lick them. But don't tell the kids.  I won't let them "because of the eggs..."

I didn't believe the hubby when he said you need to mix the dough with your hands and I tried a batch in my mixer a while back. I don't know the science behind it, but they did not turn out. "SO Yeah", I mix them "by hand" now.

If you're "jones'n" for a "kitchen sink" kinda cookie, then roll up your sleeves.

Brian's Cookies

2 1/4 Cups (all purpose) flour
2 Sticks (1 cup) butter (softened)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup Brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup chopped nuts
1/2 bag (11.5 oz bag) butterscotch chips
1/2 bag (11.5 oz bag) chocolate chips (semi-sweet)
2 cups oatmeal

tupperware--organizing my pantry

Okay, so I have to start out by saying that years ago, I sold Tupperware.  Not for very long and kind of against my will, but I did.  I was approached by a Tupperware Director at a little fair and she bought the necklace I made, right off my neck.  She then asked (or so I thought) if I wanted to have a TW party and hey, I was game.

The next thing I knew, I was signed up to sell the stuff.

I enjoyed it, but soon found that it wasn't my thing mainly because, well, I hate plastic.  I always look for the BPA free stuff if I do buy it and I stick with Ceramic, Glass or Metal for dishes, containers and so on and I never reheat anything in plastic in the microwave.

I've had a set of storage containers now for years that I've only half used and then gave up on them entirely because I keep my sugars, flours and salt in big glass containers, but living as far away from a store as we do, I've found myself at the "bulk" section more times than not when I'm at the grocery store.

I even tried to sell this set online with no success which may or may not be a factor as to why I'm not selling TW anymore...*ahem*

anywaaaayyy...

Buying in bulk has it's advantages and disadvantages

homemade knobs--Chapter one

So I'm itching to get going on a new project.

I'm re-doing a vintage Lane Cedar Chest.

I found it at a Thrift Store over 5 years ago, but I just haven't known exactly how to re-do it.  And since I'm committing to my projects... ahem...

Anyway, so last night I was browsing the world wide web looking for vintage drawer pulls and the amber crystal knobs caught my eye and I couldn't shake it. So this morning I'm wondering how exactly would amber look on dark walnut.  Well the world wide web doesn't seem to have any help on this subject.  Does no one combine the two?  Or at least not post it on the internet?  How am I to know if it will actually work?  I don't want to spend money and wait for the man in brown to deliver them only to not like it and delay (snort) this project any longer so it gets me to thinking...

How can I make them myself?...

The answer to that question usually ends in "Oh, I have some glue..."

And a washer...

candlestick cake plate

It's crystal clear that I have a problem.

I'm addicted to treasure hunting...

Addicted, Collector, Treasure Hunter. The titles all apply.

I may or may not have like a half dozen candlesticks waiting for tops to be glued to them...

I can feel my Hubby rolling his eyes right now...

homemade liquid hand soap and homemade soap dispenser

I have wanted to try a "discover-ment" as my 6 year old calls it.  I've been wanting to make my own shampoo.  But since we are out of liquid hand soap, (and not out of shampoo) I settled for 'trying my hand' at hand soap.

And BONUS, I tried my hand at videography too. 

Lucky you. :)

So like the many recipes out there, I used 8 cups of water, one Kirk's Castile Soap Bar, grated, 1-2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil and one Upcycled Oversized Pickle Jar. (and some spray paint)

bag lady (leather edition)--homemade leather tote

Remember the other day when I was using a gift bag for a purse?   Not anymore baby!  I built myself a purse.

I have had this leather since my 9 year old boy was a baby and just haven't dared use it.  This is the year of no fear for me.  I'm committing to my projects. I'm just gonna DO IT!

So I did...

*wiping brow*

popcorn trees--winter in Swan Valley

The winter is so beautiful here in Swan Valley Idaho.  It really helps keep those winter blues at bay.

Every time I go out my front door

After The Fog Lift-eth

Here comes the fog again...

So this is what happens after the fog.

I'm sure there is a wonderful metaphor in this somewhere...

It was a dark and stormy night sunless and foggy evening.  The weather advisory was issued for "freezing fog".

???

You too?  What is that?

You'll see...

Just keep scrolling...

Photo Op

So my hubby calls me on his way to work to tell me of the gorgeous photo op in the valley right before going up to the Palisades dam. 

He tells me of snow covered pasture with horses in it, fog settling all around and sunlight breaking through.

So, of course I want to capture it (with my trusty camera phone) so I pull on my snow boots, throw a scarf around my neck, grab my gift bag makeshift purse (that's another post) and head out the door to go snag some bodacious scenes.

And then this...

After the rain (!) the other day that's ice. Not soft snow...

I didn't want to miss the "light show" hacking at the ice to get in the car.

So I took these...

Yogi Tea

It's cold and flu season here.

We've been trying to cut out sugar and eat more healthy to combat all the yummy treats that were had over the Christmas season.

We've also been downing the Echinacea tea.

We love it at this house.  Well, the littlest will only take a few obligatory sips, but the rest of us really enjoy it.  We've tried other brands of Echinacea tea and they don't even compare.

I love the uplifting notes on the tea bag tag and the yoga hints on the side of the box.